AP Sports Digest

Wed, Jan 27, 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

BBO--HALL OF FAME

NEW YORK -- The baseball Hall of Fame won't have any new players in the class of 2021 after voters decided no one had the merits - on-the-field or off - for enshrinement in Cooperstown on this year's ballot. Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were the closest in voting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, and the trio will have one more chance at election next year. By Jake Seiner. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.

BBO-HALL OF FAME-LOOKING AHEAD

It could be a while before the Baseball Writers' Association of America votes anyone new into the Hall of Fame. BBWAA members delivered an empty class in this year's vote. There are signs that the 2021 shutout could be repeated next year - and perhaps the year after that, too. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 660 words, photos by 3 a.m.

HKN-AROUND THE NHL

Jumping right into the regular season with no exhibition games has led to plenty of sloppy -- albeit entertaining -- play around the NHL. Injuries are making teams change their lineups more often, contributing to more mistakes and penalties and a style that looks more like junior or college hockey than the pros. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 3 a.m.

FBN-INSIDE THE NUMBERS

There has never been a Super Bowl matchup of accomplished quarterbacks quite like the one coming up next week between Tampa Bay's Tom Brady and Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. UPCOMING: 730 words, photos by 3 a.m.

OLY-TOKYO-PLAYBOOK

TOKYO - Remember the word: Playbook. This is the rule book that the IOC and Tokyo organizers will roll out next week to explain how 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and tens of thousands of others will try to safely enter Japan when the Olympics open in just under six months. By Stephen Wade. SENT: 740 words, photos.

NEW CONGRESS-COLLEGE SPORTS

The NCAA, the Power Five conferences and their platoon of lobbyists had a good year on Capitol Hill in 2020. Now, with Democrats controlling Congress and the White House, 2021 will pose a bigger challenge for those resisting major changes in college sports. By Ben Nuckols. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. With glance, including details of lobbying spending (sent).

BBN--HANK AARON-MEMORIAL

ATLANTA -- Emotions ran high as baseball came together at Truist Park to honor the life and legacy of Hank Aaron. The one-time home run king and Baseball Hall of Famer died last week at age 86. By Paul Newberry. SENT: 940 words, photos.

COMMENTARY

GLF--ON THE FRINGE-FINAU

It can't be said Tony Finau is in a slump -- he hasn't won enough for that. And that might be his biggest burden. He has been ranked in the top 50 the last three years and earned over $20 million in seven years. Still, he has only one win to show for it. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. SENT: 900 words, photos. With Golf Notes (sent), glance (sent), GLF--Dubai Desert Classic-Hatton (sent).

NOTABLE

FBN--CHIEFS-REID'S PATIENCE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Andy Reid does not give up on players. After Mecole Hardman muffed a punt that gave the Bills an easy touchdown, the Chiefs coach went right back to his wide receiver. And Hardman responded. By Dave Skretta. SENT: 700 words, photos.

FBN-PACKERS-RODGERS

GREEN BAY, Wisc. - All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he doesn't think there is any reason why he wouldn't be back with the Packers next season. But he added, that his future isn't necessarily in his control. SENT: 540 words, photos. With FBN-Colts-Brady's Offense (upcoming).

FBN--WASHINGTON-KING PROMOTED

Washington promoted Jennifer King to assistant running backs coach, making her the NFL's first Black female assistant position coach. She is the second woman in the league to be an assistant position coach after Tampa Bay assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust. SENT: 350 words, photos.

BKC--VANDERBILT-PIPPEN JR

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Scotty Pippen Jr. is getting critiques from two former pros -- Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse and father Scottie Pippen, he of six NBA titles. The sophomore point guard is learning well, ranked second in the SEC in points and assists. By Teresa M. Walker. SENT: 850 words, photos.

FBC--SENIOR BOWL

MOBILE, Ala. -- With whistles blowing and players moving from station to station, it appeared to be business as usual at the Senior Bowl - even if things are anything but normal. By John Zenor. SENT: 800 words, photos.

BKC--T25-OKLAHOMA-TEXAS

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Oklahoma Sooners are surging. And when they can grab a tough win at Texas, it makes no difference to them the Longhorns were playing short-handed and without their coach. By Jim Vertuno. SENT: 630 words, photos. With BKC--Pac-12-This Week (upcoming).

CAR--IMSA-WAYNE TAYLOR RACING REBOOT

Wayne Taylor Racing transitioned its organization into an Acura factory program in roughly 11 weeks during the offseason. It made for an exhausting scramble to ready the team for the Rolex 24 at Daytona that begins Saturday. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. SENT: 620 words, photos.

SKI-WCUP-MEN'S SLALOM

SCHLADMING, Austria - Right after finishing his second run and taking the lead in the race, Marco Schwarz held up one finger. There were still five more racers to come down at the World Cup night slalom, but the Austrian held on to his No. 1 position. SENT: 530 words, photos. With SKI-WCUP-Women's GS (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.

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Wednesday Time Schedule (EST)

NBA

Indiana at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Detroit at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Brooklyn at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Denver at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Milwaukee vs. Toronto, at Tampa, Fla., 7:30 p.m.

Boston at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Washington at New Orleans, 9 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

Dallas at Utah, 9 p.m.

Minnesota at Golden State, 10 p.m.

NHL

Chicago at Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

Ottawa at Vancouver, 8 p.m.

College Basketball (Top 25)

Men

No. 2 Baylor vs. Kansas St., 9 p.m.

No. 13 Ohio St. vs. Penn St., 7 p.m.

No. 14 Wisconsin at Maryland, 9 p.m.

No. 16 Florida St. vs. Miami, 6 p.m.

No. 17 Creighton at Seton Hall, 7 p.m.

No. 20 Virginia Tech at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.

No. 25 Louisville at Clemson, 9 p.m.

Women

No. 6 Stanford at Washington St., 9:30 p.m.

No. 24 West Virginia at Texas Tech, 7 p.m.