NCAAFB –Alabama’s Nick Saban retires after 7 national titles
Alabama coach Nick Saban is retiring after winning more national championships than any other major college football coach. Saban won seven national championships and turned Alabama back into a national powerhouse that included six of those titles in 17 seasons. He made the announcement Wednesday. Saban led the Tide to nine Southeastern Conference championships and won his first national title at Alabama with a 14-0 season in 2009. Titles came again in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020. He also won a national title with LSU in 2003.
NCAAFB – NCAA President says nobody can say Michigan didn’t win title ‘fair and square’
NCAA President Charlie Baker says Michigan won the national championship fair and square. He also defended his decision to inform the school and the Big Ten during the season that the NCAA was investigating a potential scouting and sign-stealing scheme. The second half of Michigan’s perfect season was shadowed by the investigation and led to the Big Ten’s three-game suspension of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Baker says the investigation was prompted by evidence from a third party and the work could take months.
NCAAFB – NCAA Pres. Charlie Baker talks growing fanbase, gambling and new tier of D1
NCAA President Charlie Baker has given his first state of college sports address since taking over the the job in March. At the NCAA convention, Baker laid out goals for growing the college sports fanbase, dealing with issues related to the rise of legal wagering and continuing the conversation he started with a proposal to create a new tier of Division I where athletes would be paid by their schools. The speech came a little more than a month after he sent a letter to D-I member schools with a potentially ground-breaking idea for a new subdivision at the top of college sports.
NBA – National Basketball Association
Last Night
San Antonio Spurs 130, Detroit Pistons 108
Indiana Pacers 112, Washington Wizards 104
Chicago Bulls 124, Houston Rockets 119 – OT
Spurs 130, Pistons 108 – Wembanyama has 1st NBA triple-double for Spurs in 130-108 victory over Pistons
Victor Wembanyama had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double in the NBA, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 130-108 win over the Detroit Pistons. Wembanyama pulled off the feat in just 21 minutes playing against the franchise that was hoping to land him. Detroit had the league’s worst record last year, but didn’t get the first pick in the draft lottery. Wembanyama was 6 of 16 from the field and showed his playmaking skills on the break and in the post to surpass his previous season high of seven assists.
Pacers 112, Wizards 104 – Turner, Pacers overcome Haliburton’s absence to beat Wizards 112-104
Myles Turner had 18 points and 13 rebounds and the Indiana Pacers’ overcame star guard Tyrese Haliburton’s absence to beat the Washington Wizards 112-104 on Wednesday night. Indiana has won eight of nine, while Washington has dropped six in a row. Haliburton, the NBA assists leader and Indiana scoring leader, strained his left hamstring Monday night in a 133-131 home victory over Boston. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Bruce Brown and Bennedict Mathurin each added 16 points for the Pacers. Obi Toppin added 15 points, and Brown also had nine rebounds and six assists. Jordan Poole led Washington with 28 points.
Bulls 124, Rockets 119 – OT – Coby White scores 30 points as Chicago beat Houston 124-119 in overtime
Coby White scored 30 points and Zach LaVine made a big 3-pointer with 1:46 left in overtime, helping the Chicago Bulls top the Houston Rockets 124-119. LaVine finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in Chicago’s third consecutive win. DeMar DeRozan scored 19 points on 5-for-19 shooting, and Nikola Vucevic had 18 points and 15 rebounds. LaVine and Vucevic were back in the starting lineup and without minute restrictions for their third game back after being sidelined by injuries. Despite being held scoreless in the first half, Alperen Sengun had 25 points for the Rockets.
NHL – National Hockey League
Tonight
Edmonton Oilers at Detroit Red Wings, 7:00 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Winnipeg Jets, 8:00 p.m.
NHL – Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard will be out at least 6 weeks after jaw surgery
Blackhawks center Connor Bedard is expected to miss six to eight weeks after he had surgery to repair his fractured jaw. The team announced the operation and timeline for the 18-year-old rookie. It means he will miss the Feb. 3 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto — dealing a blow to the league. Bedard got hurt when he was leveled by New Jersey defenseman Brendan Smith midway through the first period of Friday night’s 4-2 loss to the Devils. The No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft was hit after he carried the puck into the Blackhawks’ offensive zone.
NHL – Corey Perry meets with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, AP source says
Corey Perry met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman this week and remains eligible to sign with any team, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the private meeting did not have anything to do with Perry’s eligibility. Perry requested the meeting, roughly six weeks after the Chicago Blackhawks terminated his contract, citing inappropriate conduct. He was never banned or unable to sign with any of the league’s other 31 teams since becoming a free agent.
NFL – Pete Carroll is out as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks after 14 seasons
Pete Carroll is out after 14 seasons as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, responsible for two NFC championships and the only Super Bowl title in franchise history during his long tenure. The 72-year old coach is moving into an advisory role with the organization, according to a statement from owner Jody Allen on Wednesday. Seattle closed the regular season with a 21-20 win at Arizona on Sunday. The Seahawks entered the final two weeks of the regular season with the chance at reaching the playoffs for the 11th time with Carroll in charge, but a Week 17 loss to Pittsburgh left Seattle in need of help it didn’t get to close out the season.
NFL – Bears keep Eberflus, fire offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, other assistants
The Chicago Bears are sticking with coach Matt Eberflus in 2024 after the team showed improvement over the second half of the season. There will, however, be some big changes to his staff. The Bears have fired most of their offensive assistants, including coordinator Luke Getsy after two seasons. Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, running backs coach Omar Young and assistant tight ends coach Tim Zetts also were let go. The Bears won five of seven late in the season behind an improved defense and finished with a 7-10 record after having a league-worst 3-14 mark in 2022.
NCAAMBB – Men’s College Basketball
Tonight
Michigan at Maryland, 7:00 p.m. News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 6:30
Michigan State at (10) Illinois, 9:00 p.m. Superhits 103.7 Cosy-FM 8:00
NCAAWBB – Women’s College Basketball
Last Night
Akron 70, Central Michigan 62
Toledo 82, Western Michigan 55
Bowling Green 69, Eastern Michigan 57
Tonight
Boston College at (18) Notre Dame, 7:00 p.m.
NCAAWBB – Notre Dame freshman Hannah Hidalgo leads the way in NCAA steals
Notre Dame freshman Hannah Hidalgo loves everything about the steal, from the quick move of her feet to the fast hands knocking it free and the open lane toward a breakaway basket. Hidalgo is the game’s best at it right now, leading the country with 74 steals for the 18th-ranked Fighting Irish. Hidalgo has always taken pride in her defense and knows what a difference it can make. She’s not alone in her belief in the power of steals. East Carolina’s Danae McNeal and Siena’s Elisa Mevius are both in the top five in steals per game this season.
MLB – Shōta Imanaga’s contract with the Chicago Cubs is a $53 million, 4-year deal
Shōta Imanaga’s $53 million, four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs includes a club option that could extend the deal to $80 million over five seasons. A person familiar with the agreement confirmed the terms to the AP on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical for the Japanese left-hander. Under the deal, the Cubs can exercise a 2028 option after 2025 or ’26. If the team declines the option in either instance, Imanaga would have the right to opt out of the remainder of the contract to become a free agent. The 30-year-old Imanaga got the win for Japan in last year’s World Baseball Classic final against the United States.
Horse Racing – Kentucky Derby purse raised to $5 million for 150th race in May
The Kentucky Derby purse has been raised to $5 million for the 150th edition in May. The increase of $2 million was announced Wednesday by Churchill Downs. The 1 1/2-mile race will be May 4. Previously, the Derby purse had been $3 million since 2019. It was $2 million from 2005-18 and $1 million from 1996-2004. This year’s winner will receive $3.1 million. The runner-up will earn $1 million; third is worth $500,000; fourth is $250,000; and fifth is $150,000. Churchill says the hikes are possible because of its investment in historical horse racing, which boosts funding for purse money.
MHSAA – Michigan High School Athletic Association
Last Night
Boys Basketball
Gobles 44, Lawrence 40
Allegan 56, Comstock 37
Girls Basketball
Buchanan 61, Michigan Lutheran 16
Parchment 49, Fennville 34
Wrestling
BC Lakeview, Gull Lake, St. Joseph at Lakeshore
- Lakeshore 42, Gull Lake 34
- Lakeshore 66, Battle Creek Lakeview 18
- St. Joseph 72, Battle Creek Lakeview 11
- St. Joseph 48, Gull Lake 30
Benton Harbor, River Valley at Eau Claire
- Eau Claire 66, Benton Harbor 0
- Eau Claire 53, River Valley 9
Allegan, Delton-Kellogg at South Haven
- South Haven 41, Allegan 34
- South Haven 50, Delton-Kellogg 27
Brandywine, Dowagiac at Buchanan
- Dowagiac 60, Buchanan 18
- Dowagiac 64, Brandywine 18
Constantine, Gobles, Lawton at Schoolcraft
- Constantine 57, Lawton 15
- Schoolcraft 52, Gobles 22
- Constantine 57, Lawton 15
- Schoolcraft 43, Lawton 30
Edwardsburg, Niles at Three Rivers
- Three Rivers 72, Edwardsburg 6
- Three Rivers 63, Niles 15
Tonight
Boys Basketball
SMAC
St. Joseph at Portage Northern, 7:00 p.m.
Lakeshore at Battle Creek Central, 7:00 p.m.
Mattawan at Portage Central, 7:00 p.m.
Loy Norrix at Battle Creek Lakeview, 7:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo Central at Gull Lake, 7:00 p.m.
Lakeland
Brandywine at Benton Harbor, 7:00 p.m.
SAC
Bridgman at Watervliet, 7:15 p.m.
Southwest 10
Comstock at Centreville, 7:30 p.m.
Non-Conference
Three Rivers at Buchanan, 7:15 p.m.
Girls Basketball
BCS
Our Lady of the Lake at Wtvl Grace Christian, 6:00 p.m.
Lakeland
Brandywine at Benton Harbor, 5:30 p.m.
Southwest 10
Comstock at Centreville, 6:00 p.m.
Lawrence at Decatur, 7:30 p.m.
Cassopolis at Hartford, 7:30 p.m.
Bloomingdale at White Pigeon, 6:00 p.m.
Bangor at Marcellus, 7:00 p.m.
Non-Conference
Battle Creek Central at Harper Creek, 7:00 p.m.
Boys Swimming & Diving
Bridgman/Lakeshore at Battle Creek Central, 6:00 p.m.
Mattawan at St. Joseph, 6:00 p.m.
