Bucs’ Keller gets opening day nod — and a bottle of bubbly

BERNIE WILSON Associated Press Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton handed Mitch Keller the opening day assignment — and a celebratory bottle of bubbly.Shelton broke the news to the 26-year-old right-hander

Sports

No. 1 Alabama readies for NCAA Tournament “home” game

JOHN ZENOR Associated Press BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama has the No. 1 overall NCAA Tournament seed, one of the best players in college basketball and likely a couple of games

Sports

Texas built strong bond to survive turmoil, hit March stride

DAVE CAMPBELL Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — The Texas Longhorns have only one player who has been around longer than two years, a unique roster shaped by super seniors

Sports

Cowboys release Ezekiel Elliott

ASSOCIATED PRESS The Dallas Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott on Wednesday, ending a seven-season run for a two-time rushing champion who never regained the form of his dominant early

Sports

Boise State seeks 1st March Madness tournament win

JOSH DUBOW Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Max Rice remembers the excitement he saw watching Northwestern win its first NCAA Tournament game six years ago.Now, Rice wants to do the

Sports

Mississippi State women top Illinois at First Four

ASSOCIATED PRESS SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Jessika Carter had 22 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, Anastasia Hayes added 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Mississippi State beat

Sports

Arizona State advances to face TCU in first round of NCAA Tournament

DAYTON, Ohio - Arizona State and Nevada were the last two teams that made the NCAA field, relegating both to the First Four play-in game in Dayton. They came in

Arizona sports

Injuries to Melancon, C. Martin add uncertainty to Diamondbacks bullpen

Right-hander Mark Melancon is dealing with a right shoulder injury that is expected to force him onto the injured list to open the season, Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen

Arizona Diamondbacks

Fairleigh Dickinson beats Texas Southern in First Four

ASSOCIATED PRESS DAYTON, Ohio — Ansley Almonor scored 23 points and Fairleigh Dickinson beat Texas Southern 84-61 Wednesday night to earn its first NCAA Tournament win in four seasons.The Knights

Sports

Arizona State basketball beats Nevada to advance out of First Four

Arizona State eclipsed its previous season-high point total on Wednesday with its 98-73 victory over Nevada.The Sun Devils shot 65% from the floor for a higher percentage than any game

Arizona State Sun Devils