National Sports

National sports stories from The Associated Press.

Final Four showdown with top seeds Michigan and Arizona includes intriguing matchups

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A March Madness masterpiece might be on tap. Get your popcorn, kick up your feet and get ready for what shapes up to be an epic showdown in the Final Four nightcap on Saturday night. Michigan and Arizona, top-seeded teams in the NCAA Tournament after being at or near ...

UConn carries an 18-game winning streak in Sweet 16 or later into stacked Final Four

When UConn makes it past the opening weekend of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the Huskies are almost impossible to stop. UConn won its 18th straight game played in the Sweet 16 or later when it mounted a most improbable comeback to rally from 19 points down to beat Duke 73-72 Sunday on ...

In Year 39, Illinois coach finally in Final Four

Illinois' Brad Underwood coached for 26 years before landing his first Division I head coaching job. Now in Year 39, the well-traveled 62-year-old is finally heading to the Final Four, where the Fighting Illini meet UConn on Saturday. He's doing it in what he's long referred to as his dream ...

Gary Woodland wins the Houston Open for first PGA Tour title since brain surgery

HOUSTON — Gary Woodland won the Houston Open on Sunday, an emotional moment that seemed so improbable 30 months ago when he had brain surgery, and even two weeks ago when he opened up about his frightening struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. Woodland looked better than ever at ...

Gary Woodland stays in front in Houston as he goes for 1st win since US Open

HOUSTON — Gary Woodland had to play hard to stay in front Saturday in the Houston Open and he added a pair of birdies late in his round for a 5-under 65 that gave him a one-shot lead over Nicolai Højgaard as he goes for his first win since the 2019 U.S. Open. Woodland and Højgaard (63) ...