College Basketball

The Elite Eight is now set in the NCAA Tournament.  In the South Region, Michigan needed overtime but the fourth-seeded Wolverines knocked off number-one seed Kansas 87-85 to advance.  Michigan will meet third-seeded Florida, which ended the Cinderella run of 15th-seeded Florida Gulf Coast with a 62-50 victory. The two teams will play Sunday afternoon.

In the Midwest Region, the top-two seeds are on to the final.  Top-overall seed Louisville dismantled 12th-seeded Oregon 77-69 to move on to their second straight Elite Eight.  The Cardinals will play second-seeded Duke, which took apart three-seed Michigan State, 71-61.  Louisville is the lone remaining number-one seed and plays the Blue Devils also on Sunday afternoon.

Two tickets to next weekend’s Final Four in Atlanta will be punched today as Syracuse meets Marquette in the East Region final, while Ohio State takes on Wichita State in the West Region final. Coverage of both games begins at 3 on News/Talk WHOP.

Kentucky’s women’s team meets Delaware in the semi finals of the Bridgeport Region at 11 am, with pre game coverage beginning at 10:45 on Lite 98.7. If Kentucky wins, they would face either Connecticut or Maryland in the finals Monday night.

Other semi final action today has Georgia meeting top seed Stanford and LSU playing two seed California in the semi finals of the Spokane region, with the winners to play Monday night.

Tennessee and Louisville are both in action tomorrow in the Oklahoma City semi finals, with the Lady Vols meeting Oklahoma, while the Cardinals face top overall seed Baylor.

Butler's Brad Stevens has reportedly been the target of UCLA's search for a new coach, but indications are that Stevens will remain with the Bulldogs.  

Stevens has been the head coach at Butler since the 2007-08 season and has guided the Bulldogs to a record of 167-49 with five NCAA Tournament appearances in six years. This year's squad went 28-9 in its first season in the Atlantic 10. The Bulldogs lost to Marquette in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

High School Baseball-Today’s games: Hopkinsville at Calloway County, Dawson Springs hosts Warren East, University Heights meets Kenwood at the Falcon Classic at Fort Campbell, which also has the host Falcons meeting Carlisle County and Sycamore, TN.

Caldwell County meets Moore County, TN and Watertown, TN at the Marshall Classic at Marshall County. The host Marshals play Hancock County, who also plays Murray. Murray also takes on Webster County.

Union County plays Scott County and Castle, IN at the Mojo Classic at Henderson County, with the host Colonels meeting St. X.

High School Softball-Friday’s scores: Paducah Tilghman defeated University Heights 6-2, Lyon County edged Dawson Springs 2-1, Hopkins Central shutout Webster County 8-0,

Today’s games:   Christian County travels to Livingston Central, Russellville hosts Clinton County for a doubleheader.

High School Basketball: Kentucky’s Mr. and Miss Basketball were announced during a ceremony in Louisville Friday evening. Madison Central’s Dominque Hawkins was named Mr. Basketball, while Marion County’s Makayla Epps was selected Miss Basketball. Both will wear the number 1 jerseys for the Kentucky All Stars when they play the Indiana All Stars in June.

Hawkins and Epps also both won MVP awards in their respective state tournaments, and were named Kentucky’s Gatorade Players of the Year

College Football: Kentucky had its first scrimmage of spring practice Friday, with the team getting in over 140 plays. Coach Mark Stoops said he was pleased with both the offense and defense as far as alignments, assignments and tempo, but noted the team needed more playmakers.

Stoops also confirmed defensive lineman Donte Rumph, who injured his shoulder in practice Monday, had surgery Friday. Rumph is expected to return to the field in time for fall camp.

Western Kentucky will wear a new helmet when they take the field for the 2013 season. New coach Bobby Petrino unveiled the chrome, reflective helmet with red trim during a Bowling Green-Warren County Chamber of Commerce breakfast Friday morning. The Hilltoppers have their first spring game under Petrino April 20^th and open the season August 31^st against Kentucky at LP Field in Nashville.

College Baseball/Softball: Baseball action saw Austin Peay clinch its 6^th consecutive Ohio Valley Conference series with a 10-3 win over Murray State Friday. The two teams conclude the series in Murray this afternoon.

Western Kentucky defeated Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns in 11 innings 10-9, with game two of the series today in Bowling Green.

Softball action saw Murray State lost 1-0 at Eastern Illinois, with the teams playing a doubleheader this afternoon. Austin Peay lost a pair of OVC games at UT Martin 8-5 and 4-3, with the series finale this afternoon.

Major League Baseball: Detroit Tigers ace pitcher Justin Verlander is set to be the highest paid pitcher in baseball.  Verlander and the team have agreed to a five-year contract extension which runs through 2019 and includes a vesting option for 2020.  Multiple outlets report the pact will pay him 180-million-dollars over the next seven seasons and the vesting option could push the deal to 202-million-dollars. 

Verlander went 17-and-8 with a 2.64 ERA last season.  The 30-year-old is 124-and-65 with a 3.40 ERA in eight big league seasons, all with Detroit.

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey will be in the City By The Bay through at least 2021.  Posey has agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension with an option for 2022.  He had already signed a one-year pact for 2013. ESPN reports the deal is worth $167 million for nine years. Posey hit .336 with 24 home runs and 103 RBI in 148 games last season. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks are rewarding first baseman Paul Goldschmidt with a five-year contract extension.  Multiple outlets report the deal is worth 32-million-dollars with a club option for a sixth season at 14.5-million-dollars.  The 25-year-old hit .286 with 20 homers, 43 doubles and 82 RBI in 145 games last season, his first full year in the big leagues. 

NFL: The Dallas Cowboys have given quarterback Tony Romo a long term contract extension. ESPN reports it’s a six year deal worth $108 million, making him the highest paid player in franchise history. Romo is the Cowboys all time leader in touchdown passes with 174 and has the franchise’s single season records for yards and touchdowns.

NHL: The Nashville Predators look to get back on the winning ways this afternoon as they open a brief two game road trip at the Columbus Blue Jackets. First puck drops just after 2 pm.

PGA Tour: Monday qualifier Steve Wheatstone has a one shot lead heading into the third round of the Shell Houston Open. Wheatstone fired a five under par 67 Friday for a two day total of 10 under 134. First round leader DA Points and Jason Kokrak are at nine under, with Stewart Cink and Brian Davis three shots off the lead.

Danville native Josh Teater had a five under 67 and is at three under par, while Nashville native Brandt Snedeker missed the cut at one over par.

Rory McIlroy announced Friday he will play in next week’s Valero Texas Open, the final tune up before the first major of the year, The Masters in two weeks.

College Basketball: Semi final action continues tonight in the NCAA tournament as Louisville meets Oregon and Duke goes against Michigan State in the Midwest Region, while Kansas takes on Michigan and Florida meets Florida Gulf Coast in the South Region. Coverage of all four games begins at 6 on News/Talk WHOP.

Kentucky is making final preparations for its semi final appearance in the Women’s NCAA tournament tomorrow against Delaware in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Tip off at 11, with pre game coverage at 10:45 on Lite 98.7.

The Lexington Herald Leader reports any announcement concerning whether Madison Central’s Dominque Hawkins will play for Kentucky will not come until after the school’s spring break, which is next week. Hawkins is scheduled to attend a dinner this evening in Louisville at which Kentucky Mr. Basketball will be chosen.

ESPN reports former Minnesota and Kentucky coach Tubby Smith has met with Texas Tech officials about their vacancy. Smith was fired by Minnesota Monday, one day after losing to Florida in the NCAA tournament. The Red Raiders were coached on an interim basis this season by Chris Walker and went 11-20. Walker was named coach after another former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie was fired before the start of the season.

It appears UCLA has its sights set on hiring Butler coach Brad Stevens. ESPN reports that Stevens reaffirmed to them via a text message he is the coach at Butler. Butler lost to Marquette in the seond round of the NCAA East regional last week. Earlier this week, Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart turned down an offer from the Bruins.

MLB: The St. Louis Cardinals made it official on Thursday and announced a new five year contract for pitcher Adam Wainwright. Financial terms were not disclosed, although the Cardinals did indicate it’s the largest contract in franchise history for a pitcher. Reports Wednesday said the deal is worth close to $100 million.

The Cardinals also announced they will wear a uniform patch this season honoring the late Stan Musial. The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports there will be three different patches for each of the uniforms they will use. Musial died in January.

High School Baseball-Thursday’s scores: Henderson County defeated Hopkinsville 2-0, Madisonville edged Christian County 9-8, Trigg County over Stewart County, TN 5-1, Logan County run ruled Russellville 12-2 in 6 innings, Union County over Crittenden County 5-1, Paducah Tilghman edged Apollo 6-5, Warren East slid by South Warren 1-0, Breckinridge County shut out Muhlenberg County 3-0.

Today’s games: University Heights meets Todd Central, who also plays Stewart County, TN at the Falcon Classic at Fort Campbell, Christian County travels to Logan County, Hopkinsville is scheduled to play in the McCracken County tournament at Heath High School.

Caldwell County goes to Madisonville, Russellville hosts Grayson County, Lyon County welcomes Crittenden County, Trigg County hosts Dawson Springs, Henderson County meets Castle, IN.

High School Softball-Thursday’s scores: University Heights rolled over Logan County 14-3, Franklin Simpson over Todd Central 12-1, Trigg County defeated Mayfield 7-1, Hopkins Central over Caldwell County 6-2, Madisonville run ruled Dawson Springs 14-0 in 5 innings, Union County over Webster County 9-0, Lyon County slid by Crittenden County 2-1 in 8 innings, Livingston Central run ruled Calloway County 10-0 in 6 innings, Greenwood over Warren East 2-1, Bowling Green shut out South Warren 6-0.

Today’s games:   University Heights hosts Paducah Tilghman, Christian County goes to Union County, Hopkinsville hosts McLean County, Dawson Springs at Lyon County, Caldwell County hosts Crittenden County, Todd Central hosts Barren County, Logan County welcomes Warren Central, Webster County entertains Hopkins Central.

Woodford County remains number one in the latest Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Top 25, with Henderson County 6^th this week. South Warren is 17^th, Lone Oak 18^th, Union County is 22^nd and Bowling Green is 25^th.

The Kentucky Softball Coaches Association Top 25 has Greenwood number one, followed by Owensboro Catholic 2^nd, Bowling Green 7^th, Lone Oak 8^th, Christian County 11^th, Marshall County 16^th Livingston Central tied for 19^th and Warren East is 24^th this week.

College Basketball

NCAA Tournament: East Region top seed Indiana saw its season end with a 61-50 loss to Syracuse in semi final action, while Marquette rolled to a 71-61 win over Miami. Marquette and Syracuse will play tomorrow afternoon in Washington, DC.

In the West Region, Ohio State got a three pointer from LaQuinton Ross with 2.1 seconds left in defeating Arizona 73-70. The Buckeyes move to Saturday’s final in Los Angeles to face Wichita State, who rolled over LaSalle 72-58 in a battle of two of the Cinderellas in this year’s tournament.

Tonight’s games: Midwest Region play in Indianapolis has Louisville meeting Oregon, while Michigan State plays Duke in the nightcap. In the South Region at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Kansas goes against Michigan, while Florida meets Florida Gulf Coast. Coverage of all four games airs at 6 on News/Talk WHOP.

Kentucky’s women face Delaware in the semi finals of the Bridgeport Regional tomorrow at 11 am, with pre game coverage on the air at 10:45 on Lite 98.7. Maryland and Connecticut play in the other semi final.

Louisville meets overall top seed Baylor, while Tennessee goes against Oklahoma in the semi finals of the Oklahoma City regional Sunday evening in Oklahoma City.

The Lexington Herald Leader reports Kentucky assistant women’s coach Matt Insell has been named as the new head coach at Ole Miss. Insell is the son of Middle Tennessee coach Rick Insell and will stay with UK until it finishes play in the NCAA tournament. Matt Insell has been an assistant at Kentucky for five years.

College Football: A Twitter feed on the Bowling Green Daily News website Thursday said Western Kentucky’s game with Army November 9^th will kickoff at 11 am central time.

Army is one of five non conference games for the Hilltoppers, who open the season against Kentucky at LP Field in Nashville August 31^st. Western will have its first spring game under new coach Bobby Petrino April 20^th.

College Baseball: Austin Peay snapped a two game losing streak with a 4-3, 12 inning win at Murray State Thursday. Game two of the series is scheduled for this afternoon at Reagan Field.

NHL: The Nashville Predators saw their three game win streak end with a 7-4 loss to Phoenix in Bridgestone Arena. The Predators have a matinee game tomorrow afternoon at Columbus.

PGA Tour: Thanks in part to an old Ping putter which once belonged to his mother, DA Points shot an 8 under par 64 and has a one shot lead on John Rollins heading into today’s second round of the Shell Houston Open. Nashville native Brandt Snedeker had an opening round two over 74 as did Danville native Josh Teater.

College Basketball: Game time for Kentucky’s game in the Women’s NCAA tournament against Delaware Saturday in Bridgeport, Connecticut has been announced to be at 11 am Hopkinsville time. Pre game coverage will begin at 10:45 on Lite 98.7.

 Shaka Smart will remain the basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth.  The school revealed Wednesday Smart and the university have agreed in principle to a contract extension, with details still being finalized.  Smart led the Rams to a 27-9 record this season, which included a berth in the Atlantic 10 championship game and a selection to the NCAA Tournament. 

Smart was courted by UCLA, which fired coach Ben Howland last weekend, but turned down the storied program. VCU has made three straight NCAA tournament appearances, highlighted by a Final Four berth in 2011.

The University of Connecticut and women's head basketball coach Geno Auriemma have agreed to terms on a five-year contract that will run through the 2017-18 season.  Auriemma, who has spent all 27 of his head coaching years at U Conn, has won an unprecedented seven NCAA national championships and made 13 Final Four appearances, including each of the last five seasons.

NFL: League sources tell ESPN Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are close to finalizing a long term contract extension that will make Rodgers the highest paid player in NFL history. Both Rodgers and the Packers are hesitant to talk about the extension, but a league source says the deal could average $25 million a year.

The former Super Bowl MVP is under contract through 2014 and is scheduled to earn a base salary of $9.25 million in the 2013 season.

MLB: Cactus League action this afternoon has Cincinnati meeting the Kansas City Royals, while the Chicago Cubs host Seattle. Grapefruit League action has St. Louis meeting Miami, while Atlanta plays a Houston Astros split squad.

High School Baseball-Wednesday scores: Trigg County defeated Hopkinsville 8-7, Owensboro Catholic defeated Christian County 15-5.

Today’s games: Christian County travels to Madisonville, Hopkinsville is at Henderson County, Trigg County hosts Stewart County, TN, Russellville hosts Logan County, Todd Central meets Kenwood, TN in the Falcon Classic at Fort Campbell, Livingston Central welcomes Heath, Crittenden County hosts Union County, Paducah Tilghman hosts Apollo, Greenwood at Bowling Green, South Warren at Warren East, Warren Central hosts Glasgow.

High School Softball-Today’s games:   University Heights at Logan County, Russellville at Warren Central, Todd Central hosts Franklin Simpson, Caldwell County at Hopkins Central, Madisonville hosts Dawson Springs, Union County hosts Webster County, Lyon County welcomes Crittenden County, Henderson County hosts Muhlenberg County, Livingston Central hosts Calloway County, Marshall County at Heath, Graves County welcomes Carlisle County and Bowling Green hosts South Warren.

High School Tennis: University Heights met Hopkinsville in a boys singles-doubles match at Ruff Park Wednesday. The Blazers won the match 6-3.

College Basketball

NCAA tournament action continues this evening as East and West Region semi finals take place. In the East Region, Miami meets Marquette at 6:15 Hopkinsville time, followed by Indiana and Syracuse at 8:45.

West Region action has Arizona meeting Ohio State at 6:47, while LaSalle and Wichita State play at 9:15. Coverage of all four games on News/Talk WHOP begins at 6 this evening.

Kentucky Sports Radio reported on its website Wednesday that Madison Central standout Dominque Hawkins will learn by Friday if he will be offered a basketball scholarship by the University of Kentucky. Hawkins has said he will not play for a school that does not offer a scholarship. Hawkins led Madison Central to its first state championship last month.

College Football: The Orlando Sentinel has named Western Kentucky running back Antonio Andrews one of the top 10 backs to watch in the 2013 season. The former Fort Campbell standout had 2,200 all purpose yards last season, setting an NCAA record.

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops announced following Wednesday’s practice defensive lineman Donte Rumph is out indefinitely, after suffering a shoulder injury in Monday’s workout. Stoops says the injury is significant and Rumph could face surgery. Stoops added it’s a big loss defensively, as Rumph is one of the most consistent players.

The Sun Belt Conference announced Wednesday two new members will be coming to the league in the 2014-15 school year. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State will both be departing from the Southern Conference. Both schools will become bowl eligible in the 2015 season.

A former full fledged Sun Belt Conference member is returning as a football only member in 2014. New Mexico State officials made the announcement Wednesday. The Aggies have spent the last eight years as a member of the Western Athletic Conference and will play as an independent this season.

Also returning to the Sun Belt in 2014 as a football only member will be Idaho. The Vandals played in the league in the early 2000’s. The WAC has dropped football as one of its sports.

The Tulsa World said Wednesday Tulsa University has no comment in regards to conference affiliation. The Golden Hurricanes have been a member of Conference USA since 2005, however ESPN reported Wednesday TU plans to move to the newly revamped Big East Conference in July, 2014.  There’s been speculation if Tulsa does leave C-USA, Western Kentucky University could be offered an invitation to join C-USA.

College Baseball: Austin Peay and Murray State open a three game Ohio Valley Conference series this afternoon at Reagan Field in Murray.

College Softball: Austin Peay dropped a pair of games to Middle Tennessee 7-5 and 3-2 in eight innings. Murray State split a pair of games with Evansville, losing 3-0 and winning 6-3.

NHL: The Nashville Predators look for their fourth win in as many games as they close out a home stand with the Phoenix Coyotes this evening. First puck drops just after 7 in Bridgestone Arena.

PGA Tour: Play begins today in the Shell Houston Open, with Nashville native Brandt Snedeker and Danville native Josh Teater both playing this week. Hunter Mahan is the defending champion.