TALKING POINTS

Kershaw says he plans to return to Dodgers for 18th season in 2025 LOS ANGELES Clayton Kershaw says he plans to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers for his 18th season next year.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner isnt pitching in the current playoffs because of a bone spur in his left big toe that sidelined him for the final month of the regular season.

The 36-year-old left-hander made just seven starts this year, going 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA both career lows.

Last November, Kershaw had left shoulder surgery and the subsequent recovery kept him out of action until July 25.

By Aug.

31, the 10-time All-Star was on the injured list with the toe injury.

My shoulder and elbow, everything, my arm feels great, he said on Foxs pre-game telecast Monday.

Obviously, I had some tough luck with my foot this year but I want to make use of this surgery.

I dont want to have surgery and then shut it down.

Im going to come back next year and give it a go and see how it goes.

In February, Kershaw signed a one-year contract with a player option for 2025.

He had a $5 million base salary this season and earned $2.5 million in performance bonuses, and the deal includes an option he can exercise for a $10 million base salary in 2025.

Kershaw would get a $1 million bonus for each start next year from 11-25.

Hes spent his entire career with the Dodgers, although he has missed chunks of time in recent years because of a series of injuries.

Ohtani stolen base streak ends at 36 in NLCS, caught for first time since July 22 LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Dodgers keep on winning in the playoffs, even without a bunch of home runs and stolen bases by Shohei Ohtani.

The Japanese star was caught stealing for the first time in nearly three months on Sunday night, ending a streak of 36 consecutive successful stolen base attempts.

The Dodgers routed the Mets 9-0.

Ohtani was 2 for 4 with with a walk while scoring two runs and driving in another.

Ohtani was thrown out trying for second base by New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez for the Los Angeles Dodgers final out of the second inning in the NL Championship Series opener.

San Franciscos Patrick Bailey had been the last catcher to throw out Ohtani, on July 22, also at second base.

Ohtanis RBI single off Kodai Senga had given the Dodgers a 3-0 lead and chased the New York Mets starter.

Ohtani added a single in the fourth against David Peterson as a run came home on right fielder Starling Martes fielding error, then scored on Freddie Freemans single for a 6-0 margin.

Ohtani has been relatively quiet at the plate since hitting a tying three-run homer in Game 1 of the NL Division Series against San Diego.

I think right now hes in a good spot, manager Dave Roberts said.

Like I said that last series, I thought he chased it a little bit, but I think tonight he got back into his hitting zone and some good things happened.

And even one of his outs was close to being a homer.

Ohtani is 6 for 8 with runners on base in the playoffs.

Hes 0 for 16 with the bases empty.

Were better when we get guys on with Shohei up to bat, Roberts said.

Obviously when guys are in scoring position there might be a little bit more focus.

Of the Dodgers nine runs in Game 1, none were homers.

Everybodys doing their jobs and scoring early is a key to our game, Ohtani said through an interpreter.

Ohtani became the first 50-50 player, hitting .310, leading the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs, and stealing 59 bases in 63 attempts.

The two-way star did not pitch this year following elbow surgery.

Dodgers pitchers tied the postseason record of 33 consecutive scoreless innings set by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 World Series.

Each and every one of the pitchers has been doing their job exceptionally well, Ohtani said, and its really setting the tone for the offensive part of the game.

Pochettino wins US debut as Musah and Pepi score second-half goals in 2-0 victory over Panama AUSTIN, Texas Mauricio Pochettino won his debut as U.S.

coach, getting a 49th-minute goal from Yunus Musah off an assist from AC Milan teammate Christian Pulisic and a stoppage-time strike from Ricardo Pepi for a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday night.

The match in front of a near-capacity crowd of 20,239 at Q2 Stadium was the first of two friendlies for the U.S.

in a four-day span that includes a game against Mexico on Tuesday in Guadalajara.

The U.S.

ended a four-game winless stretch and its first four-game home winless streak since a seven-game slide in 2010-11.

A 52-year-old Argentine who managed Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino was hired last month to replace Gregg Berhalter, who was fired in July after first-round elimination at the Copa America.

Pochettino was given a contract through the 2026 World Cup that the U.S.

will co-host and tasked with sparking a team that has not reached the World Cup quarterfinals since 2002.

Musah scored his first goal in 42 international appearances.

Antonee Robinson worked around defender Michael Murillo on a flank and centered to Pulisic, who exchanged passes with Brenden Aaronson and one-timed a cross.

Musah beat defender Cesar Blackman and redirected the ball with a right-foot volley past Orlando Mosquera from 4 yards for his first goal in 42 international appearances.

Pulisic played a match with his eighth U.S.

coach, a record for an American player.

Three second-half subs combined for the second goal.

Malik Tillman brought down a kick from goalkeeper Matt Turner and passed to Haji Wright, who crossed.

A Texas native, Pepi slid the ball through Mosqueras legs for his 11th goal in 31 appearances.

Turner.

who played all four matches at the 2022 World Cup.

made a double save in the 52nd minute, batting Puma Rodriguezs shot with his left hand, then diving back in front to get his body in front of Yoel Barcenas attempt off the rebound.

Panamas Jose Fajardo put an open shot wide in the 87th minute.

Angel City plays to 1-1 tie with Courage Christen Press and Olivia Wingate traded goals in stoppage time as the North Carolina Courage and Angel City played to a 1-1 draw at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

Press gave Angel City (7-12-5) the lead in the 97th minute with her first goal since June 11, 2022, as she missed two years recovering from an ACL injury.

The game was her 100th regular-season NWSL match.

Wingate responded in the 100th minute as North Carolina (12-9-3) extended its home unbeaten streak to 21 matches.

Lundestrom snaps scoreless tie in 3rd and Dostal gets shutout as Ducks blank Sharks 2-0 SAN JOSE Isac Lundestroms goal midway through the third period broke a scoreless tie and sent the Anaheim Ducks on their way to a 2-0 season-opening victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

Lundestrom connected on a wrist shot from the slot after taking a centering pass from Brock McGinn with nine minutes remaining.

Trevor Zegras added an empty-net goal with 1:35 left to seal the win.

Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal made 30 saves for the shutout, and Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek turned back 28 shots.

Mateusz Bogusz, Ilie Sanchez lead LAFC to 2-1 victory over Whitecaps VANCOUVER, British Columbia Mateusz Bogusz scored 35 seconds into the match, Ilie Sanchez found the net during second-half stoppage time, and Los Angeles FC pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night.

Bogusz used assists from David Martinez and Olivier Giroud to score his career-high 15th goal of the season for LAFC (18-8-7).

Martinez notched his fourth assist in his 16th career appearance and Giroud picked up his third in his ninth career appearance.

Sebastian Berhalter pulled Vancouver (13-12-8) even in the 62nd minute when he scored off a free kick.

It was his second goal of the season and the fourth of his career.

The kick came after a hand ball foul on LAFC midfielder Sergi Palencia.

Sanchez scored in the third minute of stoppage time.

It was his first goal this season and the 10th of his career.

Kei Kamara earned his fifth assist of the campaign.

Hugo Lloris, who was coming off back-to-back clean sheets, finished with three saves in goal for LAFC.

Yohei Takaoka saved two shots for the Whitecaps.

LAFC pulls within three points of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference and can finish no worse than second.

LAFC posted a 3-0 home win over the Whitecaps in May and leads the all-time series 10-6-4.

Vancouver, currently the No.

8 seed in the West, falls to 0-4-2 in its last six matches.

LAFC will host the San Jose Earthquakes in a Decision Day match on Saturday.

The Whitecaps travel to play Real Salt Lake on Saturday to close out the regular season.

Pulisic, Pepi and McKennie among 5 US players to miss Tuesdays match at Mexico AUSTIN, Texas Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie will miss the United States friendly at Mexico on Tuesday in order to return to their clubs in Europe.

Marlon Fossey and Zack Steffen, who didnt dress for Saturdays 2-0 win over Panama, also are returning to their teams, the U.S.

Soccer Federation said Sunday.

The USSF said Pulisic is skipping the game and going back to AC Milan for load management.

The federation said the others have minor injuries and will get evaluation and treatment at their teams.

No players are being added, leaving 21 players available for the match in Guadalajara.

Pulisic assisted on Yunus Musahs goal early in the second half against Panama and Pepi scored in stoppage time.

The game marked Mauricio Pochettinos debut as U.S.

coach.

As we have said, we are always going to make decisions that are in the best interest of our players and respect the relationship we have with their clubs, Pochettino said in a statement.

Matt McCarty wins in Utah for first PGA Tour title IVINS, Utah Matt McCarty started the year on the Korn Ferry Tour and now is headed to the Masters, winning his first PGA Tour title Sunday at the Black Desert Championship with a 4-under 67 and one swing that all but sealed it.

McCarty won three times on the Korn Ferry Tour to earn an instant promotion in August.

In his third start on the PGA Tour, he made winning look just as easy.

Staked to a two-shot lead going into the final round, he never trailed at Black Desert Resort and won by three shots.

Stephan Jaeger closed within one shot with birdies on the 14th and 15th.

McCarty effectively ended any threat with a 3-wood on the 310-yard 14th that was close to perfect, bounding onto the green and settling 312 feet from the cup for an eagle.

The victory means the 26-year-old left-hander from Arizona is assured of being in three of the majors next year.

He gets into the Masters and PGA Championship with his PGA Tour title, and McCarty already earned a spot in the U.S.

Open by leading the Korn Ferry Tour points list.

McCarty becomes the first player since Jason Gore to win three times on the developmental tour to earn an instant promotion and then win on the PGA Tour in the same season.

He finished at 23-under Ruoning Yin wins in Shanghai on LPGA SHANGHAI Ruoning Yin shot an 8-under 64 to win the LPGA Buick Shanghai tournament, the fourth career LPGA victory for the Chinese golfer.

Yin trailed third-round leader Mao Saigo of Japan by one stroke, but rallied with birdies on five of the final six holes.

Yin finished on 25-under 263 at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club.

Saigo closed with a 71 and tied for second with Sei Young Kim of South Korea, who carded a 68.

Saigo was looking for her first LPGA Tour victory.

They were both six strokes off the lead, finishing at 19-under 269.

Yealimi Noh of the United States carded a 67 on Sunday to finish in fourth place, seven strokes behind the winner.

Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya smashes world record by nearly 2 minutes at Chicago Marathon CHICAGO Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya smashed the world record by nearly two minutes at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, winning in 2:09:56.

The 30-year-old Chepngetich broke the world record set by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia in 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia finished second in 2:17:32.

I feel so great.

Im very proud of myself, Chepngetich said.

This is my dream.

I fought a lot, thinking about the world record.

Chepngetich became the first woman to break 2:10 in the marathon.

She also won the Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022 and finished runner-up last year.

John Korir of Kenya won the mens race in 2:02:44, besting Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia, who finished in 2:04:39.

Korir and Chepngetich ran in honor of the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who broke the world record by 34 seconds, finishing in 2:00:35, at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

The world record has come back to Kenya, Chepngetich said.

I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum.

Police said the 24-year-old Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, died in a car accident in February after hitting a tree near a training area in Kaptagat, Kenya.

Organizers held a moment of silence for Kiptum before the race and offered the nearly 50,000 runners a memorial sticker to add to their bibs.

The 26.2-mile race started and ended in Grant Park.

Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

leaves game against Packers because of a concussion GREEN BAY, Wis.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

left Sundays game because of a concussion after his head hit the thigh of Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie.

Harrison tried to get up after the second-quarter incompletion, but appeared to stumble.

He then headed into the injury tent on the sideline and eventually walked into the tunnel.

Early in the second half, the Cardinals ruled him out for the game.

He ended up like hitting my leg, McDuffie said after the Packers 34-13 victory.

I went to go tackle him, and he kind of like ducked and ended up hitting my quad.

It was a weird play.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said after the game that he was unsure about the severity of Harrisons injury.

Harrison has 17 catches for 279 yards and four touchdowns for the Cardinals, who selected him out of Ohio State with the fourth overall pick in this years draft.

Other Cardinals to get injured in Sundays game included linebacker Kyzir White (knee), defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (stinger), safety Joey Blount (hamstring), left guard Evan Brown (ankle) and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck).

76ers rule out All-Star Joel Embiid for the rest of the preseason with left knee concerns PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will not play the rest of the preseason as part of what the team calls left knee management.

Embiid did not travel with the Sixers for two road games last week.

The Sixers said Sunday the teams main focus is keeping the oft-injured Embiid on an individual treatment plan designed to support his health and wellness this season.

The 76ers have three games left in the preseason.

Embiid should be in the lineup when the Sixers open the season Oct.

23 against Milwaukee.

The 30-year-old Embiid, who won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA, signed a $193 million contract ahead of training camp.

The 76ers have failed to advance out of the second round since 2001, in large part because Embiid has failed to stay healthy for an entire postseason.

Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a season and was limited to only 39 last season in large part because of knee surgery.

The 76ers finished 31-8 last season season with Embiid about a 65-win pace and a woeful 16-27 without him.

A record-setting teen climber returns home to Nepal to a heros welcome KATHMANDU, Nepal A Sherpa teenager who became the youngest person to scale all the worlds 14 highest peaks returned home to Nepal on Monday to a heros welcome.

Nima Rinji Sherpa, 18, reached the 8,027-meter (26,335-foot) summit of Mount Shishapangma in China last week, completing his mission to climb the worlds peaks that are more than 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) high.

He broke a previous record by another Sherpa, who was 30 years old at the time.

Nepals Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey, along with members of the climbing community, fellow Sherpas and supporters, lined up outside Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to offer flowers and scarfs to Nima Rinji.

I am very happy and I want to say thank you so much everyone.

It was a difficult mission but finally I was able to be successful, Nima Rinji told reporters.

He comes from a well-known family in the Sherpa mountaineering community.

His father and two uncles run the Seven Summits Treks in Nepal, which has become a leading company serving clients in Nepal, China and Pakistan.

Famous for their skills on the worlds highest peaks, Sherpas were once relegated to support staff but now are emerging out of the shadows of their Western peers.

Several mountaineering records have been achieved by Sherpa climbers.

After his latest and final climb on Wednesday, Nima Rinji wrote on his Instagram account that it was a tribute to every Sherpa who has ever dared to dream beyond the traditional boundaries set for them.

Mountaineering is more than labor; it is a testament to our strength, resilience, and passion, he wrote, adding that he wanted to show that the younger generation of Sherpas can rise above the stereotype of being only support climbers and embrace their potential.

We are not just guides; we are trailblazers.

Let this be a call to every Sherpa to see the dignity in our work, the power in our heritage, and the limitless possibilities in our future, he said.

Panthers say Matthew Tkachuk will be sidelined about a week with an illness BOSTON The Florida Panthers will be without forward Matthew Tkachuk for about another week because of an illness, a timetable that suggests hell miss a total of six games for the reigning Stanley Cup champions.

Tkachuk didnt play in Saturdays loss at Buffalo and the Panthers dont expect him back until a home game against Minnesota on Oct.

22.

Tkachuk wasnt in the lineup for Mondays matchup at Boston and the Panthers expect him to remain out for games Tuesday at Columbus, Thursday at home against Vancouver and Saturday at home against Vegas.

Tkachuks illness comes with the Panthers already without one of their other star forwards.

Captain Aleksander Barkov was hurt last week in a game against Ottawa and is week to week with a lower-body injury.

The Panthers are hopeful Barkov will be back in time for games in his native Finland against Dallas on Nov.

1 and 2.

Tkachuk had two assists through two games this season before getting sick.

Florida QB Graham Mertzs season and his college career are over because of a knee injury GAINESVILLE, Fla.

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz will miss the remainder of the season because of a knee injury, coach Billy Napier said Monday.

Mertz, a sixth-year senior from Overland, Kansas, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 23-17 overtime loss at Tennessee on Saturday.

Napier says Mertz will have surgery next week.

Mertz awkwardly caught his cleat in the turf after throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Arlis Boardingham midway through the third quarter.

Mertz limped to the locker room with a 10-0 lead and later returned to the sideline wearing street clothes and a knee brace.

Highly touted freshman DJ Lagway took over and gave the Gators (3-3, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) a chance with a 27-yard TD pass to Chimere Dike with 29 seconds left in regulation.

Napier called for the extra point instead of trying a 2-point conversion, and Florida lost in overtime.

Mertz completed 11 of 15 passes for 125 yards, with the touchdown pass and a fumble at the goal line.

He spent the last two years at Florida after transferring from Wisconsin, where he was a three-year starter.

Mertz started 11 games in 2023 before breaking his collarbone in a game at Missouri and four more this season.

He completed 73.7% of his passes for 3,694 yards, with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions at Florida.

He is projected to be a Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Napier will turn to Lagway beginning with Saturdays homecoming game against Kentucky.

Lagway, who is from Willis, Texas, has completed 65.3% of his passes for 765 yards, with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

Lagways first start will come against a defense that ranks third in the SEC in yards allowed.

The Wildcats have given up a combined 50 points in their last three conference games.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa expected to play again this season MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to play football again in 2024 after being diagnosed with his third concussion in two years earlier this season.

Coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that Tagovailoa had positive meetings with neurologists during the Dolphins bye week, though he remains in concussion protocol and on injured reserve.

I do expect him to see him playing football in 2024, McDaniel said for the first time since Tagovailoas injury, but where that is exactly, well let the process continue.

Tagovailoa isnt eligible to return until Miamis game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, and McDaniel said the quarterback will continue consulting experts to determine when it will be safe for him to play.

Tagovailoa got hurt in a Week 2 game against Buffalo when he collided with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin.

Tagovailoa ran for a first down and then initiated the contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead of sliding.

He has a history of head injuries since entering the NFL, having been diagnosed with two in 2022 and suffering another scary hit to the head that season, which led to changes in the NFLs concussion rules.

McDaniel has cautioned against speculating on Tagovailoas future since his latest injury.

I never went down that rabbit hole of if he would or wouldnt (continue playing football), McDaniel said, just because Ive learned through circumstance that thats the wrong question to be asking.

The right questions are completely, 100% toward the human being.

The Dolphins have struggled on offense as three different quarterbacks have taken snaps in Tagovailoas place.

Entering this weeks matchup at Indianapolis, the Dolphins have one of the NFLs worst scoring offenses with 12 points per game.

Miami will stick with Tyler Snoop Huntley until Tagovailoa returns.

Huntley is 1-1 in two starts for Miami this season.

McDaniel said the former Ravens quarterback is growing in his understanding of the offense.

Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has surgery to repair posterolateral corner of his right knee KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Wide receiver Rashee Rice had surgery last week to repair the posterolateral corner of his right knee, rather than the ACL that initially was thought to have been damaged in a win over the Chargers, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday.

The nature of the injury, and ensuing procedure, does not significantly change the timeline for Rices recovery.

He still will miss the remainder of the season, and it is unclear whether the repaired knee will be ready for the start of training camp in July.

Its probably the same result you get timewise as an ACL.

It takes a while for that to come back, Reid said as the Chiefs got back to work following their bye.

Hell get into his rehab and get rolling on that as we go here.

The only other injury news involved pass rusher Mike Danna, who was working through a pectoral injury during the week off.

The Chiefs are one of only two unbeaten teams left in the NFL, along with the Minnesota Vikings.

They play Sunday at San Francisco in a rematch of the Super Bowl, which Kansas City won in February for its second straight Lombardi Trophy.

The Chiefs have been hit hard by injuries at key positions, losing wide receiver Marquise Brown to shoulder surgery before the season and running back Isiah Pacheco to a fractured right fibula.

So far, they have been able to patch up the roster in part by bringing back a couple of familiar faces in wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back Kareem Hunt.

Smith-Schuster had seven catches for 130 yards while Hunt ran 27 times for 102 yards and a touchdown in a 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints heading into the bye.

It was the first time Hunt, who had gone unsigned after a sports hernia procedure, had started for the Chiefs since they cut him amid off-the-field trouble in 2018.

I kind of joke with him (that) he spent the bye week in the cold tub after all those carries, Reid said.

But I mentioned before, he came back in pretty good shape, other than not having played football, and thats held true to this point.

The Chiefs could get running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire back this week, too.

The former first-round draft pick began the season on the non-football illness list and spent time with the scout team after he was designated to return two weeks ago.

I want to get with him first before I put anything out there publicly, Reid said, but were awful glad to have him here.

Utah QB Cam Rising out indefinitely, true freshman Isaac Wilson named starter SALT LAKE CITY Utah quarterback Cam Rising is out indefinitely with a lower leg injury and coach Kyle Whittingham said Monday true freshman Isaac Wilson will be the Utes starter until further notice.

Rising was injured in Utahs 27-19 loss to Arizona State on Friday.

His leg was bent backward at an awkward angle following a hit on the Utes first drive.

The seventh-year senior finished out the contest but struggled with his mobility and accuracy.

He completed only 43% of his passes and threw three interceptions against the Sun Devils.

Rising has already missed three games this season because of an injury to his throwing hand.

He sat out all the 2023 season after suffering a major knee injury in the 2023 Rose Bowl.

Wilson, the younger brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson, filled in for Rising during his earlier absence.

He posted a 2-1 record as a starter while throwing for 726 yards and five touchdowns with five interceptions.

We feel like the quarterback position is stable.

We just dont have Cam, Whittingham said.

There is no timetable for when or if Rising will return from this latest injury.

Whittingham said an eighth season for Rising may be considered if he decides to seek a medical waiver after this season.

Media picks Alabama to win SEC championship, guard Mark Sears is preseason player of year BIRMINGHAM, Ala.

Alabama is the favorite to win the Southeastern Conference mens basketball championship this season, led by preseason player of the year Mark Sears.

The Crimson Tide, ranked second in the APs preseason Top 25, are coming off the programs first Final Four run.

The SEC released preseason All-SEC teams and predictions from league and national media on Monday.

Alabama led the way, followed by No.

11 Auburn, No.

12 Tennessee, No.

16 Arkansas, No.

13 Texas A&M and No.

21 Florida.

League newcomers No.

19 Texas and Oklahoma were picked to finish seventh and 15th, respectively.

The preseason first-team All-SEC picks are Sears, Auburn forward Johni Broome, Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler and Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor IV.

Broome, Zeigler, Taylor and Georgias Asa Newell also received player of the year votes.

Villanova senior Eric Dixon gets 1-game suspension for impermissible participation at Portsmouth VILLANOVA, Pa.

Villanovas leading scorer and rebounder, Eric Dixon, will serve a one-game NCAA suspension for impermissible participation in the Portsmouth Invitational in April.

Dixon, a fifth-year senior, will miss Villanovas Nov.

4 opener against Lafayette.

Dixon played in the tournament, which is traditionally meant for college seniors, as he tested the waters on a jump to professional basketball.

Once he decided to return for the extra year of eligibility granted because of the pandemic, he was hit with the suspension.

Dixon, who turns 24 in January, led the Wildcats with 16.6 points and 6.5 rebounds and was named a second-team All-Big East selection each of the last two seasons.

Defending national champion South Carolina picked to win SEC womens basketball title BIRMINGHAM, Ala.

Defending national champion South Carolina is the pick to win the Southeastern Conference womens basketball championship.

Dawn Staleys Gamecocks return four starters from last seasons undefeated team and have a highly rated recruiting class.

The picks released by the SEC on Monday were made by a panel of league and national media members.

South Carolina was followed by Texas, LSU, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Three players tied for preseason player of the year.

LSUs FlauJae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow along with Texas Madison Booker all received eight points.

Five other players received votes.

Joining Johnson, Morrow and Booker on the All-SEC first team are Alabamas Sarah Ashlee Barker, Kentuckys Georgia Amoore, Oklahomas Raegan Beers and South Carolinas Te-Hina Paopao.

Aidan Hutchinson likely down 4-6 months with broken leg, Lions coach Dan Campbell says ARLINGTON, Texas Aidan Hutchinson is likely done playing this year because of the leg injury he sustained against the Cowboys, but surgery to repair his fractured tibia and fibula went great and Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday he isnt ready to declare his star pass rusher out for the season.

Hutchinson was carted off the field Sunday in the third quarter of Detroits 47-9 win over Dallas and had surgery at Baylor White Medical Center.

The surgery went great it is all good news, Campbell said.

Its probably 4-6 months, but I would never count Hutch out.

It hurts, but if anyone could make it back, it is him.

Hutchinson was set to return this week to Detroit from the Dallas-area hospital.

Its really tough and hes a guy whos part of the heartbeat of this team, Lions quarterback Jared Goff said after the game.

He will be fine, you know, hes going to come back eventually whenever that may be but knowing him he will be fine and he will bounce back.

Hutchinsons leg appeared to snap above the ankle when it collided with the left leg of teammate Alim McNeill as Hutchinson was pulling Dallas QB Dak Prescott down for a sack.

I havent seen it myself so I couldnt really tell, McNeill said.

I didnt know if it was him or not, but I did feel somebody like leg-whip me, and then I see Hutch down.

Thats wild to see.

I hate that for him.

The Lions were leading 34-6 at the time of the injury to Hutchinson, who entered the game as the NFL leader in sacks with 612.

There was a delay of about 10 minutes as medical personnel tended to Hutchinson while players from both teams made a large circle around the second overall pick in the 2022 draft.

After Hutchinson was loaded onto a cart with a cast on his leg, teammates and Dallas players reached over to pat the 24-year-old.

Hutchinson had the third Detroit sack of the game.

McNeill had the first two.

NASCAR aware of allegations a team engineer stole intellectual property to give to rival team CONCORD, N.C.

NASCAR has acknowledged it is aware of allegations that an engineer for a Cup Series team accessed proprietary information and shared it with another team.

The stock series released no details about the allegations because neither team has filed a complaint with NASCAR.

But a series spokesman confirmed to The Associated Press at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the weekend it is aware of a brewing scandal between the two teams.

The engineer is in a contract year with Joe Gibbs Racing, according to executives with six teams who spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity because the details are considered private and have not been disclosed publicly.

Joe Gibbs Racing, which has two cars still competing for the Cup title, declined to comment.

The engineer had been exploring options with other teams as the season draws to a close, multiple team officials told the AP on Sunday, confirming they discussed possible employment.

NASCAR acknowledged to AP it has heard that one team with no cars in the playoffs paid the engineer cash in exchange for setup information.

Until a lawsuit is filed or a complaint is lodged with NASCAR, there is nothing the series can do, raising concerns that employees will be able to hand over intellectual property to rivals without ramifications.

Hailie Deegan will move to IndyCar and compete in the Indy NXT Series CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Hailie Deegan said Monday she will move from NASCAR to IndyCar and compete in the Indy NXT Series next year with HMD Motorsports.

Deegan will drive the No.

38 entry for the full 14-race calendar of the series one step below IndyCar.

She will be part of a five-driver team at HMD alongside Caio Collet, Josh Pierson, Tommy Smith, and Bryce Aron.

I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to working with a proven program in HMD Motorsports, Deegan said.

I have much to learn, but I am ready to go.

The team brings a wealth of knowledge for me to pull from, and I look forward to soaking up as much of that as possible before my race debut next March in St.

Petersburg.

Deegan has never before competed in open-wheel racing.

The 23-year-old has spent the last four years in NASCAR competing in both the Truck Series where she made her debut at age 18 and in the Xfinity Series.

The native of Temecula, California, has never won at NASCARs national level.

Deegan and HMD Motorsports will test this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

She will work with Nathan Toney, former HMD Motorsports engineer and owner of Toney Driver Development.

Deegan has already completed test sessions at various circuits, the team said.

She will gain her first open-wheel race experience later this month in the final race of the Formula Regional Americas season at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Hailie, and especially the Deegan name, are huge in motorsports, and we welcome them to the HMD Motorsports family, team president Mike Maurini said.

Hailie has already been out to the shop and is taking the move to open-wheel racing seriously.

Houstons Mario Edwards Jr.

suspended 4 games for violating NFLs substances of abuse policy HOUSTON Houston Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr.

has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFLs substances of abuse policy.

Edwards, who was suspended Monday, will be eligible for reinstatement after Houstons game against Detroit on Nov.

10.

The 30-year-old has started every game for the Texans this season and has 18 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

He signed a one-year, $2 million contract with Houston in March after spending last season with Seattle.

The team did not have an immediate comment on his suspension.

His suspension comes on the same day defensive end Denico Autry was reinstated after serving a six-game ban for violating the leagues policy on performance-enhancers..

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