U.S./World Sports category, Page 367
The Masters drawing that helped free a man from prison
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Valentino Dixon’s introduction to golf came when the warden dropped by his 6-by-10 cell at Attica Correctional Facility in New York with a photo of the iconic 12th hole at Augusta National and a simple request. Could Dixon draw the hole with his colored pencils? The warden...
Students at LeBron James’ school doing ‘unbelievable’ job
Students in Akron whose public school system labeled as the city’s worst-performing pupils have turned things around in big way after enrolling in LeBron James’ school. I Promise’s inaugural class of third- and fourth-graders is closing the achievement gap, according to the New York Times. “These kids are doing an...
Tiger Woods 1 shot back on star-studded Masters leaderboard
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods made the largest logjam in Masters history look even bigger by making Augusta National sound as loud as ever. Even on a Friday in the rain. Golf’s best worked their way to the top of the leaderboard at a Masters pregnant with possibilities. The first...
Denny Hamlin hoping for hometown advantage at Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. — Denny Hamlin would love to think he has an advantage when it comes to racing at Richmond Raceway. The Joe Gibbs Racing star has won three times on the 0.75-mile, D-shaped oval and has been coming to the track for much of his life, even long before...
Warriors start NBA playoff road without LeBron James at the end
The Golden State Warriors are set to begin their quest for a third straight NBA title, and this time it’s up to someone else to try to stop them. With LeBron James gone to the West and this year gone entirely from the postseason, the Eastern Conference headquarters for the...
DeChambeau, Koepka blister back 9 to lead at Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. — No need to wait until Sunday for the Masters to come to life. Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson delivered enough excitement over the final two hours Thursday for quite an opening act at Augusta National. Koepka, a winner in two of the last three majors,...
After winning small events, Justin Harding makes most of big stage at Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Justin Harding of South Africa spent most of his Masters debut Thursday atop the leaderboard, and that’s not an unusual position for him over the past year. No one else at Augusta National can claim five victories and three runner-up finishes since the last Masters. Then again,...
Analysis: Lakers have opportunity to open new chapter
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. The Los Angeles Lakers already had plenty of problems to fix during the summer after their sixth straight losing season. Replacing the person in charge of fixing those problems is suddenly at the top of the list. Magic Johnson’s shocking resignation as the 16-time NBA champions’ president...
Jordan Spieth hopes Masters memories can help end slump
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods is a winner again, making him even more appealing at the Masters. “I’ve worked my way back into one of the players that can win events,” he said. Rory McIlroy is the betting favorite — perhaps even the sentimental favorite. Facing a fifth chance at...
RJ Barrett to enter NBA draft after 1 season at Duke
DURHAM, N.C. — RJ Barrett is leaving Duke after one season to enter the NBA draft. Barrett announced his decision Wednesday in a video posted on social media . He said playing at Duke is a dream but added that “it’s also a dream of mine to play in the...
Masters preview: Tiger Woods’ chances, rain, possible winners
Wednesday’s Sided.co “Breakfast With Benz” podcast looks at golf. It’s our annual Masters preview with my former broadcast partner in Salt Lake, Brian Taylor. He is covering his 20th Masters this year. Round 1 is Thursday. The Par 3 tournament is today. We talk about that and how some of...
Michigan State tops AP’s way-too-early Top 25
MINNEAPOLIS — Virginia pulled off one of the great redemption stories in NCAA Tournament history, winning its first national title a year after losing to a No. 16 seed in the first round. The bad news: it’s seven months until the next season. The confetti is still being swept up...
Magic Johnson abruptly quits as Lakers president
LOS ANGELES — Magic Johnson abruptly quit as the Los Angeles Lakers’ president of basketball operations Tuesday night, citing his desire to return to the simpler life he enjoyed as a wealthy businessman and beloved former player before taking charge of this franchise just over two years ago. Johnson didn’t...
Corey Conners goes from Monday qualifier to Masters spotlight
AUGUSTA, Ga. — As the man in the green jacket recounted the incredulous events of the past week, Corey Conners cocked his head to one side and smiled ever so slightly. Almost as if he couldn’t believe it, either. A little over a week ago, Conners snatched the last spot...
Tony Bennett, Virginia give Dick Bennett proud dad moment
MINNEAPOLIS — Dick Bennett has a difficult time watching his son, Tony, coach Virginia. He rarely attends games. “I’m not a model of decorum or poise,” said Dick Bennett, the former longtime high school and college basketball coach. “But I needed to be here.” The Cavaliers didn’t make it easy...
Cavaliers’ arena renamed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers have changed dramatically and so has their downtown home. Quickens Loans Arena is no more. The team will no longer play at “The Q,” but inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, which is undergoing a $185 million renovation funded by the city and team. The Cavaliers, who have...
Marilynn Smith, Hall of Famer and LPGA founder, dies at 89
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Marilynn Smith, one of the 13 founders of the LPGA Tour whose 21 victories, two majors and endless support of her tour led to her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, died Tuesday. She was 89. She died in Goodyear, Arizona, surrounded by family...
Virginia tops Texas Tech in overtime to win NCAA championship
MINNEAPOLIS — It was an easy question to ask, even if the answer was tough to absorb. “Why?” It dogged Virginia for a year and three weeks — following the Cavaliers through sweat-soaked practices, hostile arenas up and down the East Coast, on talk radio and pundit-driven TV, and in...
Steve Hummer: All these years later, Masters experience hard to explainVideo
AUGUSTA, Ga. On Monday at the Masters, early morning before the clouds take over, the pines throw long shadows over a green dewy carpet. The first wave of patrons make the slow, happy walk in from the acres of parking for which rich men have leveled homes to provide. It...
Justin Rose looks to finally finish at AugustaVideo
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Justin Rose has been atop the leaderboard at the Masters after every round except the one that matters. He has been runner-up twice, most recently in a playoff that would have been more crushing if not for seeing close friend Sergio Garcia celebrate his first major. The...
Virginia Tech hires former Wofford coach to replace Buzz Williams
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech has hired former Wofford men’s basketball coach Mike Young to replace Buzz Williams. The school announced the decision Sunday night, just four days after Williams left to take the same job at Texas A&M. Young, a native of Radford, Va., about 10 miles from the...
Virginia basketball known for upsets, and maybe a national title
MINNEAPOLIS — It is not Duke, North Carolina or UCLA. Yet, when sorting through all the games, personalities and events that helped shape college basketball into the billion-dollar colossus it is today, it’s hard to look past the name “Virginia.” It’s the program that gave us one of the sport’s...
Corey Conners wins Valero days after qualifying, will play MastersVideo
SAN ANTONIO — His first PGA Tour victory in the bag and his ticket punched for next week’s Masters, Corey Conners’ primary concern was a big change to his work weeks going forward. “No more Monday qualifying,” Conners said. “That’s the best deal from this. Amazing. It’s a dream come...
Baylor women hold off Notre Dame to win title
TAMPA, Fla. — Baylor recovered after blowing a 17-point lead and losing a star player, beating Notre Dame, 82-81, for the NCAA women’s basketball championship Sunday night when 2018 tournament hero Arike Ogunbowale missed a foul shot in the final seconds. Chloe Jackson made a layup to put Baylor ahead...
Tim Dahlberg: At Masters, it’s not the players who are stars
The not-quite-ready-for-prime-time Thanksgiving exhibition with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson produced such bad golf that Mickelson and country singer Jake Owen traded barbs about it a day later at Jordan Spieth’s wedding. Owen said it was so bad he deserved a refund. He told Barstool Sports’ “Fore Play” podcast that...
