NCAA:
The North Carolina Tar Heels are national champions for the sixth time in men's basketball following a 71-65 win over Gonzaga. Justin Jackson converted a three-point play with 1:40 remaining to put the Tar Heels ahead to stay. Joel Berry II had a team-high 22 points for the Tar Heels, who won despite shooting under 36 percent from the field and going 4-for-27 from 3-point range.
Forward Juwan Durham has become the third UConn player to announce that he is leaving the basketball program. The 6-foot-11 freshman posted on Twitter yesterday that he made his decision after talking to his family, teammates and friends. Durham played 28 games this season, averaging 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds.
Patrick Ewing is returning to his alma mater. Ewing has been hired as Georgetown's men's basketball coach, replacing John Thompson III. His return comes 23 years after he led the Hoyas to their only national championship. Ewing has been an assistant coach with the NBA's Charlotte Hornets and had hoped for years to land an NBA head coaching job.
The University at Buffalo is cutting four sports programs, including baseball, in a restructuring aimed at saving the athletic department $2 million a year. The Mid-American Conference school also is eliminating men's soccer, men's swimming and diving, and women's rowing to bring the number of teams to 16. School President Satish Tripathi says the cuts represent the "unfortunate reality" of the university not having the resources to support 20 teams.
The moves come after a review in which the school took into account program costs, facilities and Title IX implications. The school will honor all scholarships of the 120 athletes affected. Buffalo will allow those athletes to contact other schools and will grant their release if they decide to transfer.
Get ready to cheer for the Amherst College Mammoths. The Massachusetts school Monday announced that its athletic teams will be known as the Mammoths after a yearlong selection process and vote that involved thousands of alumni, students and faculty. The selection board said people who suggested mammoths noted they are "impressive," ''stupendous and monumental," and "near mythic."
MLB:
Rookie Andrew Benintendi hit a three-run homer that capped a five-run fifth inning, and the Boston Red Sox began their post-David Ortiz era by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 in yesterday's opener.
The Cleveland Indians were winners as they opened their American League title defense, Baltimore earned the season's first extra-inning victory and Clayton Kershaw got his season off to an encouraging start. Indians newcomer Edwin Encarnacion hit a game-tying homer in the eighth inning before the Indians put together a three-run ninth to beat Texas, 8-5. The Orioles topped Toronto, 3-2 on Mark Trumbo's blast in the bottom of the 11th, and Kershaw retired 19 straight batters and limited San Diego to two hits over seven innings of the Dodgers' 14-3 rout of the Padres.
The Washington Nationals and New York Mets were winners on opening day as the two clubs begin their expected battle for the National League East title. Bryce Harper belted his fifth career opening-day homer and pinch-hitter Adam Lind smacked a go-ahead, two-run shot as the Nationals rallied to beat Miami, 4-2. Noah Syndergaard tossed six strong innings before Lucas Duda's three-run double capped the Mets' six-run seventh in a 6-0 shutout of Atlanta.
A federal judge has approved a settlement in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over Rhode Island's failed $75 million deal with the videogame company owned by former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell yesterday approved the settlement. The state's economic development agency agreed to pay a $50,000 penalty.
The St. Louis Cardinals have locked up another key player to an extension. Redbirds right fielder Stephen Piscotty has accepted a six-year, $33.5 million package that includes a club option for a seventh season. The 26-year-old Piscotty hit 22 homers and drove in 85 runs in 153 games last year after batting .305 in 63 games as a rookie in 2015. The agreement comes a day after St. Louis announced a three-year, $60 extension with seven-time All-Star catcher Yadier Molina.
NHL:
In the NHL, Toronto doubled up Buffalo 4-2, Montreal won against Florida 4-1, and it was Detroit over Ottawa in a shootout 5-4.
The NHL announced Monday that it will not participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, refusing for the first time in 20 years to halt its season for three weeks so its stars can chase gold for their home countries. Commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly have informed NHL Players Association officials that the matter was "officially closed" after weeks of speculation. The league said no meaningful dialogue had emerged in talks with the NHLPA, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation.
The Montreal Canadiens are the second NHL team to wrap up a division title, securing the Atlantic by downing the Panthers, 4-1 in Florida.
In other NHL news:
— Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella says defenseman Zach Werenski is day to day after getting hurt in Sunday's loss to Washington. The 19-year-old rookie apparently hurt his shoulder Sunday night when hit by Alex Ovechkin in the third period.
— Bryan Bickell is back in the NHL, five months after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The Carolina Hurricanes have recalled the forward, who had one goal in seven games this season before receiving his diagnosis in November.
— Devils defenseman Dalton Prout has been slapped with a two-game suspension from the NHL for interference against Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas in Saturday's game. Prout was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct after checking Gudas while the Flyer was skating to the bench on a line change.
NBA:
The NBA's first awards show will be held June 26 at Basketball City at Pier 36 in Manhattan. The league will announce the winner of the MVP and its other major awards during the show, which will be televised live on TNT.
The Trail Blazers are just 1 ½ games ahead of Denver for the NBA's final Western Conference playoff berth following Portland's 110-109 loss at Minnesota on Monday.
North Carolina freshman big man Tony Bradley says he will declare for the NBA draft to test the waters and wouldn't rule out the possibility of hiring an agent. Bradley spoke after the Tar Heels beat Gonzaga 71-65 on Monday night to win their sixth NCAA championship. Bradley says he's "100 percent" on taking advantage of rules making it easier for prospects to work out for teams while maintaining their eligibility provided they don't hire an agent.
NFL:
Rex Ryan is taking his bluster to the TV studio. ESPN announced yesterday the former Buffalo Bills and New York Jets coach is joining its "Sunday NFL Countdown" show as an analyst. He will also contribute to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He will make his debut Saturday as part of the network's coverage of Florida State's spring game.
Lawyers for former NFL star Aaron Hernandez have begun presenting their defense in his double-murder trial. After prosecutors rested their case yesterday, Hernandez's lawyer called their first witness, a fan who had his photo taken with Hernandez the night prosecutors say Hernandez fatally shot two men. The fan said Hernandez did not seem angry or upset.
Tom Brady's Super Bowl jersey was stolen again — this time by Rob Gronkowski in full view of 37,000 screaming Red Sox fans. Gronk swiped it out of his hands when the champs took part in the first-pitch ceremony at Red Sox opening day.
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