Sports

No. 3 Michigan backup guard L.J. Cason to miss remainder of season with torn right knee ligament

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — No. 3 Michigan sophomore guard L.J. Cason will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his right knee, the team announced Saturday.

Associated Press

Cason came up limping a day earlier inan 84-70 win at Illinoisin which the Wolverines (27-2, 17-1) clinched the Big Ten regular-season title.

He appeared to be initially hurt when falling to the court after chasing down a defensive rebound late in the first half. Cason returned to play for two-plus minutes in the second half before leaving the game with about 13 minutes left, and finished with nine points.

"First and foremost, our hearts hurt for L.J.," coach Dusty May said in a statement.

"You never want to see a young man who has poured so much into this program have something like this happen," he added. "However, if there's anyone equipped to handle this and the rehab process, it's LJ."

Advertisement

Cason is a primary backup, who was sixth on the team in averaging 8.4 points per outing, while going 33 of 82 in 3-point attempts in 28 games this season.

"This isn't how I wanted my season to end, but I trust God's plan, and I'll attack rehab the same way I approach everything -- with focus and determination," Cason said. "We've got many goals as a team, and I'll be locked in supporting my brothers every step of the way."

Michigan plays at Iowa on Thursday before closing its season hosting Michigan State on March 8. The team has earned a bye through the opening rounds of the Big Ten tournament, which it will open in the quarterfinals on March 13.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

No. 3 Michigan backup guard L.J. Cason to miss remainder of season with torn right knee ligament

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — No. 3 Michigan sophomore guard L.J. Cason will miss the remainder of the season with a torn AC...
South Carolina's Staley says school is working to bring 3 former players home from Israel

South Carolina coachDawn Staley said on social mediaSaturday that the school is working to try and help a few former players return home from Israel where they are playing professionally.

Associated Press South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley argues a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri in Columbia, S.C., Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond) South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, right, talks with a referee, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley directs her team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi State in Columbia, S.C., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Missouri South Carolina Basketball

The trio of former Gamecocks — Tiffany Mitchell, Destiny Littleton and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan — as well as other former WNBA players are playing basketball in Israel, which along with the United States,launched a major attackon Iran on Saturday.

"Please pray for our @GamecockWBB @TiffMitch25 @2121Mikiah @dstnylttltn24 who are in a war zone in Israel," Staley said on X. "We are working a plan to get home. Let us pray for our loved ones to return home safely asap! Thank you in advance."

Advertisement

Mitchell played last season in Seattle, while Harrigan was on the Phoenix Mercury. Other players in the Israeli league with WNBA ties include Victoria Vivians, Christyn Williams, Shyanne Sellers, Arella Guirantes and Evina Westbrook.

"It's 12:48 am and I'm going to attempt to get some sleep,"Littleton tweeted. "Prayers for safety for everyone impacted."

AP WNBA:https://apnews.com/hub/wnba

South Carolina's Staley says school is working to bring 3 former players home from Israel

South Carolina coachDawn Staley said on social mediaSaturday that the school is working to try and help a few former play...
Cliff-hanger derby caps Rugby League's return to Las Vegas in pursuit of new American fans

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rugby league's bid to crack into the U.S. sports market returned to Las Vegas on Saturday with its mission to convert Americans to thisrugged brand of footballdrawing almost 50,000 fans to Allegiant stadium.

Associated Press Bulldogs Stephen Crichton, center, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the winning field goal in extra time during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule) Bulldogs Jacob Preston, center, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule) Dragons Luciano Leilua is tackled by Bulldogs Bailey Hayward, top, during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule) Newcastle Knights' Bradman Best runs to score try during the Australia National Rugby League game between the Newcastle Knights and the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule) Newcastle Knights Trey Mooney reacts after scoring a try during the Australia National Rugby League game between Newcastle Knights and the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

Australia National Rugby League US

It's the third consecutive year Australia's National Rugby League has showcased the gritty sport in the entertainment capital.

How many locals showed up among the thousands of traveling fans from Australia and England on a day that saw three matches was not immediately clear, but the showcase delivered on the entertainment stakes capped by a cliffhanger between two historic rivals.

The NRL has committed until 2028 to play regular season matches in Las Vegas as part of a strategic plan to broaden an international audience for the sport and increase its sports betting revenue by playing Prime Time in the entertainment capital.

Australia has been courting the US market since 1987when it played a State of Origin match between New South Wales and Queensland in Long Beach.

Bulldogs in derby win

A field goal in the second period of 'golden point' extra time by Canterbury Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton decided a brutally physical encounter against the St. George-Illawarra Dragons.

Tied at 14-14 at the end of regulation and with both teams missing chances in the first period of extra time, Crichton stepped up from 20 meters (yards) to nervelessly slot home his kick to give the Bulldogs a dramatic victory.

Crichton had earlier played in winger Jacob Kiraz for Canterbury's second try after Jacob Preston had opened the scoring for Canterbury.

The Dragons twice leveled the match with a rare try by prop Emre Guler, while Setu Tu scored acrobatically in the corner for a try on his NRL debut.

Dragons half Kyle Flanagan kicked a penalty goal in the final minutes of regulation to tie the game and force extra time.

Advertisement

Knights upset Cowboys

Earlier, the Newcastle Knights stunned the North Queensland Cowboys 28-18 in the NRL season opener.

The match was in the balance at 22-18 in the last 10 minutes, before Braidon Burns was penalized for a high hit on Knights star Kalyn Ponga and was sent to the sin bin by referee Ashley Klein.

Newcastle, which finished bottom of the NRL standings last season, seized on the extra man advantage with prop forward Trey Mooney barging over to seal the win.

Newcastle raced to a 12-0 lead with tries from Greg Marzhew and Fletcher Sharpe, before the Cowboys rallied after Heilum Luki and Murray Taulagi scored to level at 12-12 at half time.

Bradman Best and Dominic Young scored a quickfire double for the Knights after the break before Taulagi's second try narrowed the deficit.

Leeds thump Hull KR

Maika Sivo scored four tries as the Leeds Rhinos thumped Hull KR 56-8 in the first match at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday featuring two English clubs.

The Rhinos stormed to a 28-0 halftime lead. Converted tries to Brodie Croft, Keenan Palasia, Ryan Hall and a double to Sivo set the tone.

Leeds maintained momentum in the second half with former Parramatta Eel Sivo scoring twice more, while Croft added a second try and Cooper Jenkins crashed over twice.

Hull's only reply came through Joe Burgess, a lone consolation after their World Club Challenge win over theBrisbane Broncoslast week.

AP sports:https://apnews.com/sports

Cliff-hanger derby caps Rugby League's return to Las Vegas in pursuit of new American fans

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rugby league's bid to crack into the U.S. sports market returned to Las Vegas on Saturday with its m...
Australian Hannah Green wins HSBC Women's World Championship by a stroke

SINGAPORE (AP) — Australian Hannah Green has won the HSBC Women's World Championship for a second time, holding off a fast-finishing American Auston Kim to claim a one-stroke victory on Sunday.

Associated Press Hannah Green of Australia reacts on the green during the HSBC Women's World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah) Hannah Green of Australia plays her shot during the HSBC Women's World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah) Auston Kim of the United States plays during the HSBC Women's World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah) Angel Yin of the United States plays her shot during the HSBC Women's World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah) Minjee Lee of Australia looks on after playing a shot during the HSBC Women's World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah)

Singapore LPGA Golf

Green, the2019 Women's PGA Championship winner, closed with a 69, after an erratic back-nine with three birdies and three bogeys nearly opened the door for Kim.

Green tapped in for bogey at the last and a 14-under four-round total of 274 at the par-72 SentosaGolfClub and give her another title in Singapore after also winning here in 2024.

Kim had the equal-best round of the day with a 67 on the back off six birdies and an eagle, but bogeys at the second and especially at the par-3 15th ended her charge at 13-under 275, and one shot behind a faltering Green.

Advertisement

Minjee Lee, who had been co-leader with Green coming into Sunday's final round, mixed three birdies with three bogeys for a frustrating even final round 72 and was tied for third with Angel Yin (71) and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (68) of France at 11-under 277.

Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, who wonlast week's tournamentin her native Thailand, shot 73 Sunday and was 2-under 287 and tied for 31st. She was one shot behind defending championLydia Ko, who had a 72.

The 72-player, no-cut tournament was the second of three stops on the LPGA's early year Asian swing, with the final one next week at Hainan Island, China.

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Australian Hannah Green wins HSBC Women’s World Championship by a stroke

SINGAPORE (AP) — Australian Hannah Green has won the HSBC Women's World Championship for a second time, holding off a...
Texas Tech thwarts Iowa State's chances at Big 12 title, NCAA No. 1 seed with 82-73 win

No. 4 Iowa State's chances at a Big 12 regular-season title and No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament suffered a setback withan 82-73 lossto No. 16 Texas Tech on Saturday.

Yahoo Sports

The Red Raiders won their third straight game sincelosing star forward JT Toppinto a torn ACL injury in a loss to Arizona State on Feb. 17. Texas Tech shot 58% from the floor and 48% (14-for-29) on 3-pointers.

Donovan Atwell led the Red Raiders with 18 points, scoring all of his points from the 3-point line. Christian Anderson followed with 14 points and 7 assists, helping boost Texas Tech's record to 12-4 in the Big 12 (and 22-7 overall).

Texas Tech appeared to have the game in hand, holding a 79-62 lead with 1:35 remaining in regulation after two consecutive baskets by Anderson. However, Iowa State followed with a late surge, going on an 11-0 run. The Cyclones were helped by a bad pass from Anderson, leading to a turnover and Milan Momcilovic 3-pointer. That cut the deficit to 79-73 with 42 seconds left in the game.

On the Red Raiders' ensuing possession, Jaylen Wells' pass was picked off by Joshua Jefferson, giving Iowa State a chance to close to within three points. But Momcilovic missed a 3-point try and Texas Tech finished off the win making three free throws off Iowa State fouls.

Advertisement

Jefferson scored 22 points for the Cyclones, along with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Momcilovic added 20 points, hitting 5-of-9 3-pointers.

With the defeat, Iowa State's record dropped to 11-5 in the Big 12 and 24-5 overall. The Cyclones could conceivably still play a role in deciding the conference title, facing Arizona on Monday. However, playing spoiler is surely not what T.J. Otzelberger's squad had in mind.

Last Saturday, Iowa State was the No. 4 teamamong the top 16 releasedby the NCAA tournament selection committee. Since those rankings were released, the Cyclones have lost to BYU and Texas Tech. That may have opened an opportunity for Houston (24-5, 12-4 conference) to get a No. 1 NCAA tournament seed, though it came in at No. 6 in the committee's rankings.

Texas Tech may have lifted itself into a top-four finish in the conference, which would lead to a bye through the first two rounds of the Big 12 tournament and an automatic berth in the quarterfinals.

No. 2 Arizona clinched a share of the Big 12 regular-season championship on Saturday withan 84-61 winover No. 14 Kansas. The Wildcats face Iowa State and Colorado (6-10 conference) to close out their schedule and will likely be the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, which begins March 10.

Texas Tech thwarts Iowa State's chances at Big 12 title, NCAA No. 1 seed with 82-73 win

No. 4 Iowa State's chances at a Big 12 regular-season title and No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tourna...
No. 16 Texas Tech hands No. 4 Iowa State first home loss

Every time Iowa State began to gain any semblance of second-half momentum Saturday, Texas Tech had an answer.

Field Level Media

Whether it was a 3-pointer on one end, a block on the other or just stingy work on the defensive backboards, the Red Raiders simply refused to buckle to what has been dubbed Hilton Magic.

The result was another significant victory against a foe ranked No. 6 or higher this season, 82-73, which also marked the Cyclones' first home loss of the season.

Donovan Atwell scored 18 points, hitting six 3-pointers, Luke Bamgboye delivered his best game since stepping in as a starter for the injured J.T. Toppin with 13 points and Christian Anderson navigated second-half foul trouble to score 12 points and dish out seven assists as No. 16 Texas Tech (22-7, 12-4 Big 12) moved into a tie for second place in the conference with Houston.

The Red Raiders are 3-0 since losing Toppin, the 2025 Big 12 Player of the Year, to a season-ending knee injury.

No. 4 Iowa State (24-5, 11-5) got 22 points from Joshua Jefferson and 20 from Milan Momcilovic, but couldn't quite dig out of a hole that grew as deep as 45-25 late in the first half.

The Cyclones crept back within 65-59 with 7:08 to play on Tamin Lipsey's dribble-drive bucket and the capacity home crowd was at a full-throat roar.

That rally came after Iowa State was unable to chip away at a 16-point deficit despite Anderson getting tagged with his fourth foul right before the first media timeout of the second half and heading to the bench for nearly 6 minutes.

Advertisement

Jaylen Petty and Tyeree Bryan stepped up with Anderson sidelined, sharing the lead guard responsibilities and scoring a combined 17 points in the second half.

More importantly, Petty helped Texas Tech regain its footing after the Cyclones made their run. He pulled up for a timely 3-pointer and moments later hit a mid-range jump shot late in the shot clock. Both buckets came after Bamgboye blocked shots at the rim.

Atwell sank his final 3 with 4:47 remaining, and Bryan finished a 10-0 run with a driving layup to push the lead to 75-59, leaving Iowa State unable to recover.

Atwell's big day from beyond the arc helped the Red Raiders finish 14 of 29 from deep against one of the Big 12's best defenses.

Conversely, the Cyclones struggled to make shots from anywhere most of the game and finished at 39% overall (23 of 59), including 8 of 24 from 3-point territory. Jefferson and Momcilovic combined to connect on 13 of 28 field-goal attempts.

Iowa State clawed back into the game by cranking up its defense, especially on Anderson, in the second half. The Cyclones forced 10 turnovers in the second half, which led to 12 points the other way. Iowa State scored 17 points off turnovers in all.

Sparked by Atwell's 15 points, Texas Tech held a comfortable 45-29 lead at halftime. The Red Raiders made five of their final eight 3-pointers after a 3 of 10 start and knocked down 10 of 11 shots from inside the arc with 11 assists on 18 made field goals.

Jefferson and Momcilovic each notched 13 points to help the Cyclones outscore Texas Tech 44-37 in the second half, but the Red Raiders had enough in the tank to hold on for another huge NCAA Tournament resume-boosting triumph.

--Field Level Media

No. 16 Texas Tech hands No. 4 Iowa State first home loss

Every time Iowa State began to gain any semblance of second-half momentum Saturday, Texas Tech had an answer. ...
Who is Taylen Green? Arkansas QB sets records with vertical, broad jumps before running 4.36 at NFL combine

Arkansas' Taylen Green broke a pair of NFL scouting combine records Anthony Richardson Sr. set in 2023 before the Indianapolis Colts selected him No. 4 overall in the draft.

Yahoo Sports

The 6-foot-6, 227-pound Green logged a 43.5-inch vertical and leapt 11 feet, 2 inches in the broad jump, uncharted territory for quarterbacks in the event.

For reference, Richardson — listed at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds — posted a 40.5-inch vertical and flew 10 feet, 9 inches in the broad jumpthree years ago in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.

Then Green ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, the second-fastest time any QB has ever clocked at the combine.

NFL Network flashed a graphic on its broadcast comparing Green to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, but analyst Charles Davis quickly dismissed the notion that Green is entertaining a position switch right now.

"I just asked him very simply, 'With the day you're having and your build and everything else, have people approached you about doing wide receiver drills?'" Davis reported on NFL Network.

"[Green] said, 'No, they have not.'

"I said, 'What would you do if people did approach you to do wide receiver drills?' ... He said, 'Absolutely not. I'm a quarterback.'"

It's a sentiment many athletic quarterbacks before him have shared, most notably two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, and admirably so. But it's important to note that Jackson was a Heisman Trophy winner at Louisville. Green, on the other hand, didn't achieve nearly the same level of success in the collegiate ranks.

Interestingly enough, though, both played under Bobby Petrino.

Where did Taylen Green come from?

Green was a three-star prospect coming out of Lewisville High School in Texas. While there, he set the school record in the long jump and put up some nice dual-threat numbers on the gridiron. As a senior, Green threw for 22 touchdowns and ran for seven more scores.

He was the No. 660 overall recruit, including the 48th-highest rated QB, in the 2021 class,according to the Rivals industry ranking.

Green committed to Boise State, where he spent the first three seasons of his college career. He redshirted in 2021 and started a combined 22 games from 2022-23.

Advertisement

[Watch Yahoo Sports Network]

As a redshirt freshman in 2022, he eventually took over the QB1 job and helped the Broncos notch their first double-digit win season in three years. Green totaled 24 touchdowns — 14 passing and 10 rushing — and tossed only six picks, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors.

His 61.3% completion percentage from that season ended up being a single-season career high.

In 2023, Green piloted Boise State to a Mountain West Conference title. Ahead of the 2024 season, he transferred to Arkansas, where he continued to showcase his athleticism but also inconsistency.

In six of the 12 games he played in this past season, he completed less than 60% of his passes. Additionally, Green was picked off 11 times, and Arkansas finished 2-10, although the Razorbacks were undeniably hamstrung by a defense that was eighth-to-last in the country with 33.8 points per game allowed in 2025. Still, Green's persistent scoring production, through the air and on the ground, is noteworthy.

A record-breaking QB workout in Indy

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein described Green's delivery as "long" and "unorthodox"in his NFL.com prospect profilewhile also pointing out the 23-year-old signal-caller's tendency to put the ball in harm's way.

That said, it's clear Green can create off script, and he has the talent to make all the throws and perhaps the running ability to make up for those he misses.

But he needed a head-turning performance in the combine to draw Day 2 or early Day 3 interest. He delivered Saturday.

AsRichardson has proven so far in the NFL, however, athleticism, no matter how impressive, is just part of a complicated equationat the sport's most prestigious position.

Ultimately, Green's consistency as a passer, or lack thereof, will likely make or break his pro career.

Who is Taylen Green? Arkansas QB sets records with vertical, broad jumps before running 4.36 at NFL combine

Arkansas' Taylen Green broke a pair of NFL scouting combine records Anthony Richardson Sr. set in 2023 before the Ind...

 

ALEX MAG © 2015 | Distributed By My Blogger Themes | Designed By Templateism.com