UConn’s Geno Auriemma ties NCAA Division I record with 1,216th win as No. 2 Huskies top No. 14 UNC
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — UConn coach Geno Auriemma tied the NCAA Division I record for men’s or women’s basketball with his 1,216th career victory Friday night as his No. 2 Huskies beat No. 14 North Carolina 69-58. The 70-year-old Auriemma is in his 40th season at UConn. He matched Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer, who retired after after last season. Auriemma can break the record Wednesday, when UConn hosts Fairleigh Dickinson. His record with the Huskies is 1,216-162, good for an 88.2% win percentage to go with 11 NCAA championships — most recently in 2016. Mike Krzyzewski holds the men’s record with 1,202 victories at Army and Duke.
NBA considering going to a tournament format for the All-Star Game, AP sources say
The NBA is considering going to a tournament-style event for the All-Star Game, similar to what has been used in the Rising Stars competition in recent years. That’s according to two people with knowledge of the plan. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because because no changes have been finalized. The idea centers around the 24 All-Star selections being split into three teams of eight players, with the fourth team likely to be the winner of the Rising Stars competition that will be held earlier that weekend. This season’s All-Star weekend will be held in San Francisco in February.
Bills’ new stadium costs balloon to $2.1 billion, $560 million over initial estimate, team tells AP
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The projected cost of the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium has ballooned to what team officials told The Associated Press is “north of $2.1 billion.” Owners Terry and Kim Pegula are responsible for picking up the more than $560 million in overruns. Bills president Pete Guelli was not surprised by the amount, given how the numbers have been tracking up since construction began 16 months ago. Guelli says the projected total represents the commitment the Pegulas have to the community. He says they are sticking to their vision for the facility without cutting corners to reduce costs.
Kiyan Anthony will follow in his father Carmelo’s footsteps and go to Syracuse
Kiyan Anthony is following in his father’s footsteps. He’s going to play basketball at Syracuse. Carmelo Anthony’s son — a highly touted shooting guard from Long Island Lutheran High — made it official on Friday, two years after the Orange offered him a scholarship. Kiyan Anthony is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard and generally considered the top recruit in New York state as well as one of the nation’s top prospects. Syracuse had to beat out Southern California and Auburn, among others, to get the commitment.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and coach Mike Malone miss game against Pelicans for personal reasons
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Denver Nuggets were without star center Nikola Jokic and coach Mike Malone for their NBA Cup opener Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Jokic missed the game for personal reasons. Malone stayed behind to watch daughter Bridget compete in a high school volleyball playoff match. Nuggets lead assistant David Adelman took over for Malone and said the most difficult challenge of stepping in was that “Nikola is not here.” Adelman said he did not know how long Jokic — who has had four consecutive triple-doubles — will be out.
Why are so many NFL kickers getting hurt? Specialist switches have been trending up this season
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The kicker carousel has spun frequently around the NFL this fall. The riders keep getting hurt. There were 45 different players who attempted at least one kick this regular season entering this week. The New York Jets will join the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants this week for the most in the league with four. The Washington Commanders have used three. Ten years ago there were 37 players in the league that attempted a kick in a regular season game. Theories on the reasons vary from longer-distance kicks to inconsistent practice routines to more in-game tackle attempts.
Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic set for delayed UFC heavyweight championship fight at Madison Square Garden
NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are set to fight for the heavyweight championship at UFC 309 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Miocic gets his shot at a third heavyweight championship reign. The heavyweights were slated to fight last November at the Garden until Jones tore a tendon during training and was forced to withdraw. Both fighters have had little to do but train over the last five years. Jones hasn’t fought since he ended a three-year sabbatical and choked out Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. Miocic last fought when he dropped the belt to Francis Ngannou at UFC 280 in March 2021.
McIlroy one off the lead at World Tour Championship and in good shape to clinch Race to Dubai title
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The path is clear for Rory McIlroy to clinch the year-long Race to Dubai title and be crowned the European tour’s best player for a sixth time. He’s well in contention to win the season-ending World Tour Championship too. McIlroy hit a fairway wood from 265 yards to 15 feet at No. 18 and two-putted for a closing birdie in his second round. A 3-under 69 left the No. 3-ranked Northern Irishman one stroke off the lead held by France’s Antoine Rozner (65) on 9-under par. McIlroy was tied with Tyrrell Hatton (69) for second place in the tournament but his lead in the year-long Race to Dubai standings looks impregnable.
Charley Hull makes more birdies for more vacation time and a 2-shot lead over Nelly Korda
BELLEAIR, Fla. (AP) — Charley Hull and Nelly Korda lead the way in the LPGA’s penultimate tournament. Hull had five birdies in her 66 and leads Korda by two shots going into the weekend at The Annika. The five birdies are meaningful. Hull had made a deal with her boyfriend that for every round she makes five birdies, she can add an extra day to their postseason vacation to Europe. Korda is playing for the first time in two months. Alexa Pano was among those three shots behind. Pano is trying to get into the top 60 to qualify for the season finale.
Brought to you by www.srnnews.com