BC-AP Sports Digest
Posted By Admin on February 2, 2012
The supervisor is Jay Cohen, followed by Simmi Buttar at 5 pm and Vin A. Cherwoo at 1 am The supervisor can be reached at 800 845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports Photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636; agate, ext. 1635. AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, also can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. Reruns are available from the Service Desk (800 838-4616) or your local AP bureau. All times EST.
TOP STORY:
TEN–AUSTRALIAN OPEN
MELBOURNE, Australia – If anyone knows how Novak Djokovic feels after sweating and scrapping for almost five hours in the Australian Open semifinals, its his next opponent – Rafael Nadal. A day after Nadal beat Federer in four compelling sets, Djokovic dug deep to overcome Andy Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5 on Friday night after 4 hours, 50 minutes. By Caroline Cheese. Sent. Will be updated.
AP Photos.
- With:
- TEN–Australian Open-Notebook. By Justin Bergman. Sent.
COMMENTARY:
TEN–JOHN LEICESTER-270112
On serve and when whipping his forehand, Novak Djokovics grunt is that of a bullfrog, WooooAH-UH. Rafael Nadal goes for a throatier, AAArrgggHH. Occasionally, Andy Murray offers up a more hushed and constricted, Eeeeeehhh. From Roger Federer, of course, we tend to get the sound of silence. But no one makes an issue of their noise as is happening with Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, who play the Australian Open womens final on Saturday. Anyone else spot the sexist double-standards here? By Sports Columnist John Leicester.
AP Photos.
NFL:
FBN–BUCCANEERS-SCHIANO
TAMPA, Fla. – Greg Schiano relishes the challenge of trying to turn around the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 45-year-old Schiano was formally introduced Friday as the ninth coach in franchise history, inheriting a team that allowed the most points in the NFL this season. By Fred Goodall. Sent. Will be updated.
AP Photos.
FBN–GIANTS-KIWANUKA
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Mathias Kiwanuka is well positioned for this Super Bowl. He was born in Indianapolis (site of game), starred at Boston College (Patriots territory) and plays linebacker for the Giants. Not only that, he missed the Giants 2008 Super Bowl win over the Patriots with a broken leg. By Tom Canavan.
AP Photos.
- Also:
- FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – FBN–Patriots-Protecting Brady. By Howard Ulman.
- ALAMEDA, Calif. – FBN–Raiders-Allen. By Josh Dubow. Sent.
- NEW YORK – FBN–Goodell-Recession. Sent.
- KAPOLEI, Hawaii – FBN–Pro Bowl. By Jaymes Song.
- OWINGS Mill, Md. – FBN–Ravens-Coaches. Sent.
- JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – FBN–Jaguars-Coaches. Sent.
- NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – FBN–Super Bowl-Border. By Pat Eaton-Robb. Sent.
NEW/DEVELOPING:
GLF–ABU DHABI CHAMPIONSHIP
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Tiger Woods moved into contention in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship with a 3-under 69. By Michael Casey. Sent. Will be updated.
AP Photos.
HKN–ALL-STAR GAME-PLAYERS
OTTAWA – In the absence of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the NHL All-Star game is not bereft of star players – particularly the young and up-and-comers such as Tampa Bays Steven Stamkos, Chicagos Patrick Kane and New York Islanders John Tavares. By John Wawrow.
AP Photos.
BKN–PACERS-CELTICS
BOSTON – Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics try to remain hot when they host Danny Granger and the Indiana Pacers. The Celtics have won three straight for just the second time this season. By Jimmy Golen. Game starts 7:30 pm
- Also:
- MIAMI – BKN–Knicks-Heat. By Tim Reynolds. Game starts 8 pm
- BKN–NBA Capsules.
BKW–T25-DUKE-CLEMSON
CLEMSON, SC – No. 5 Duke looks to win its 15th straight over Clemson when the womens teams meet at Littlejohn Coliseum. By Pete Iacobelli. Game starts 8:30 pm
GLF–FARMERS INSURANCE
SAN DIEGO – Kyle Stanley and Spencer Levin take their one-shot lead over to the tough South Course at Torrey Pines in the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open. Phil Mickelson is on the North, and might need one of his lowest scores just to make the cut. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson.
AP Photos.
- With:
- GLF–Mahans Big Trip. By Doug Ferguson.
BBA–TWINS-MORNEAUS RECOVERY
MINNEAPOLIS – Justin Morneau made it back to the field last season for the Minnesota Twins, but he was a shell of his old MVP self. And he suffered another concussion, in addition to a litany of other injuries. Making his first appearance back in Minnesota in 2012 for the teams annual fan fest, Morneau talks about his latest comeback and expectations for the upcoming season. By Dave Campbell.
CAR–GRAND AM-DAYTONA 24
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Chip Ganassis two-car team is filled with racing stars. He has two-time Grand-Am Series champions Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas anchoring one car and IndyCar stars Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti and NASCAR regulars Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray driving the other. They swept the top two spots in last years 24-hour race at Daytona, and are the favorites to repeat this weekend. By Mark Long.
- With:
- CAR–Grand Am-Wilsons Return. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer.
- CAR–NASCAR-Foyt Hospitalized. Sent.
FIG–US CHAMPIONSHIPS
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Meryl Davis and Charlie White gave the United States its first world title in ice dance last season. And they might be even better this year. By Nancy Armour. Short dance begins at 5:30 pm, followed by the mens short program at 10:30 pm
AP Photos.
- With:
- FIG–US Championships Notebook. By Nancy Armour.
OLY–SOC-COSTA RICA-US
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With a berth to the London Olympics on the line, the US womens soccer team plays Costa Rica in the semifinals of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament. By Joseph White. Game starts 8 pm
AP Photos.
- Also:
- VANCOUVER, British Columbia – OLY–SOC-Mexico-Canada. By Joseph White. Game starts 11 pm
ATH–US OPEN
NEW YORK – At age 37, Bernard Lagat isnt even thinking about retirement. After just missing a gold medal in the 5,000 meters at last summers world championships, the American plans to keep competing for titles until at least next years worlds. By Rachel Cohen.
SOC–DONOVAN VS DEMPSEY
LIVERPOOL, England – Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, the top two American soccer players, face each other for the first time in six years when Everton hosts Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup. American goalkeeper Tim Howard joins Donovan on Everton. Starts 3 pm Stands for BC-SOC–Euro Rdp.
OLY–LONDON 2012-OLYMPICS
LONDON – Theres a nod to Shakespeare, a big bell and … nurses? Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle offered a sneak peek of his vision for the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, revealing Friday that hell ring a massive bell to start festivities that will include thousands of performers and offer a tribute to a British institution, the National Health Service. By Danica Kirka. Sent.
AP Photos.
- Also:
- LONDON – OLY–Britain-Doping. By Stephen Wilson. Sent.
- ROME – OLY–Rome 2020 Bid. Sent.
FEATURES:
FBC–SENIOR BOWL
MOBILE, Ala. – Kellen Moore and Russell Wilson are too short for an NFL quarterback. Brandon Weeden is too darn old for a rookie. The three Senior Bowl passers with impressive college resumes have spent the week aiming to address those questions, on and off the field. Their final test comes with Saturdays game in the showcase for senior NFL prospects. By John Zenor. Sent.
AP Photos.
BKO–SINGLER-NBA CAN WAIT
MADRID – NBA prospect Kyle Singler has no regrets over his decision to spurn the Detroit Pistons to play basketball in Europe. By Paul Logothetis. Sent.
AP Photos.
WINTER X-SAFETY
ASPEN, Colo. – One moment, they are bowing their heads in honor of a fallen friend. The next, theyre doing flips 30 feet in the air while riding a snowmobile. They dont call these `Extreme Sports for nothing, yet after a tragedy hits one of their own, the X Games athletes are forced to confront the harsh realities of the risky games they play. By Eddie Pells.
RAC–TV-LUCK
LOS ANGELES – David Milch had the script for a horse racing drama kicking around in his head for 30 years. The screenwriter and producer was just too busy living it to put words to paper. Milchs portrait of horse racings seedier side comes to life in the drama series Luck, starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, which debuts Sunday on HBO. By Beth Harris. Sent.
OTHER NEWS:
- CHICAGO – FBO–Concussion Awareness. Retired pro players who have completed training will be leading seminars around the Chicago area about the symptoms and effects of concussions.
- ATLANTA – US–Coaches Investments. Former NFL player Kendrell Bell has accused his college football coach at the University of Georgia of duping him out of $2 million. By Kate Brumback. Sent.
- SHEFFIELD, England – FIG–Europeans. Carolina Kostner leads after the short program in the womens competition at the European figure skating championships. Sent. Will be updated.
- MIAMI – SAI–Miami Regatta. US Sailings six-day Miami Olympic Classes Regatta continues on Biscayne Bay.
- MUNICH – SOC–Bayern-Facebook Hoax. Bayern Munich apologized for tricking fans in a publicity stunt. Sent.
Fridays Time Schedule
College Basketball (Top 25)
Women
No. 5 Duke at Clemson, 8:30 pm
NBA
Charlotte at Philadelphia, 7 pm
Indiana at Boston, 7:30 pm
New Jersey at Cleveland, 7:30 pm
Atlanta at Detroit, 7:30 pm
Milwaukee at Chicago, 8 pm
Washington at Houston, 8 pm
Orlando at New Orleans, 8 pm
San Antonio at Minnesota, 8 pm
New York at Miami, 8 pm
Utah at Dallas, 8:30 pm
Toronto at Denver, 9 pm
Phoenix at Portland, 10 pm
Oklahoma City at Golden State, 10:30 pm
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