SPORTS SHORTS
NCAA: Illinois blows out Michigan
Andre Curbelo scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half, and No. 4 Illinois dismantled No. 2 Michigan with a smothering defensive performance, routing the Wolverines 76-53 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Illini (19-6, 15-4) kept Michigan from clinching the Big Ten title and boosted their own chances at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Creighton men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott owned up to his “inappropriate” choice of words after Saturday’s 77-69 loss to Xavier. McDermott, coach of the Bluejays since 2010, shared his postgame words in a statement on Twitter.
“Guys, we got to stick together,” he said. “We need both feet in. I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can’t have anybody leave the plantation.”
The Omaha, Neb., school called McDermott’s language “deplorable” and in a statement said any discipline would remain confidential.
Jared Butler scored 25 points, Davion Mitchell (20 points) hit the go-ahead basket in overtime and third-ranked Baylor beat No. 6 West Virginia 94-89 for the Bears’ first Big 12 regular-season title in Morgantown, W. Va.
In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jaden Shackelford scored 23 points, made five 3-pointers and helped No. 5 Alabama quash a second-half threat in a 70-58 victory over rival Auburn.
NFL: Vikings cut Rudolph
The Vikings released two-time Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph on Tuesday, ending his 10-season run with the team to create a little more than $5 million in salary cap space.
Projected No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence told ESPN Tuesday his recovery from surgery on his non-throwing shoulder is going well. The former Clemson quarterback had the labrum repaired in his left shoulder on Feb. 16.
NBA: Lakers fall to Suns
Dario Šari scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, Mikal Bridges added 19 and the Suns overcame Devin Booker’s ejection for a 114-104 victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles. Booker scored 17 points before getting ejected for arguing with 7:10 left in the third quarter. LeBron James scored 38 points for the Lakers, who were still without Anthony Davis.
Kemba Walker had 25 points and six assists, and the Celtics took advantage of the late scratch of All-Star Kawhi Leonard and held off the Clippers 117-112 in Boston. Leonard was ruled out shortly before the game due to back spasms.
ETC: Canadiens snap losing streak
Carey Price made 26 saves and the Canadiens beat the Senators 3-1 in Montreal to give rookie coach Dominique Ducharme his first NHL victory and Montreal snapped a five-game losing streak.
Diamondbacks starting right fielder Kole Calhoun, who hit a team-high 16 homers in the 2020 season,, will have surgery Wednesday on his right knee because of a medial meniscus tear.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was fined $1,000 for his part in a brawl with rider Paco Lopez at Gulfstream Park last Friday. Ortiz, the leading rider for the winter meet, guided Known Agenda to an easy 11-length victory after invading the path, then getting clear, of Lopez and his mount Top Gun Tommy.
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