Uconn No. 1 for 1st time since ’09
Uconn earned its first No. 1 ranking in the AP men’s college basketball poll in nearly 15 years, while Gonzaga fell out for the first time in eight years. The Dan Hurley-led Huskies climbed three spots and replaced Purdue at the top after the Boilermakers’ loss at Nebraska dropped them to No. 2. Kansas stayed No. 3. North Carolina is No. 4. In the women’s poll, Iowa moved up to No. 2 and Colorado to No. 3 behind top-ranked South Carolina. Uconn moved up from 13th to ninth.
’Cuse mulls Patterson redshirt
SYRACUSE — Syracuse freshman William Patterson, who has yet to appear in a game this season, will likely take a redshirt year, according to SU coach Adrian Autry.
No. 17 Marquette surges to win
MILWAUKEE — Kam Jones scored 22 points, Tyler Kolek had 21 points and 11 assists and No. 17 Marquette pulled away in the second half to snap a two-game skid with an 87-74 victory over Villanova. Prior to the game, Dwyane Wade donated $3 million to Marquette just more than two decades after leading it to its latest Final Four appearance.
QB Williams enters NFL draft
LOS ANGELES — Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams entered the NFL draft, leaving USC after two prolific seasons. Williams, who won the Heisman in 2022, is widely considered the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the draft, which begins April 25. The Chicago Bears currently hold the top pick.
USC hires Rams’ Henderson
LOS ANGELES — Defensive line coach Eric Henderson is leaving the L.A. Rams to join USC as the co-defensive coordinator.
Texas signs prospect Santana
The Texas Rangers agreed to terms with 23 international players on the first day of the international signing period, headed by No. 2ranked prospect outfielder Paulino Santana for $1.3 million.
Djokovic tops Jokic for award
SOFIA, Bulgaria — Novak Djokovic was named Balkan Athlete of the Year for a record eighth time, getting past NBA superstar Nikola Jokic.
Zverev to be tried for assault
BERLIN — Olympic tennis champion Alexander Zverev will stand trial for alleged assault in Berlin in late May. He is accused of assaulting a woman during an argument in Berlin in May 2020.
Pinturault to undergo surgery
PARIS — French ski star Alexis Pinturault will undergo knee surgery next week after sustaining a season-ending injury during a World Cup super-g crash on Friday.
Falcón dies after Dakar crash
MADRID — Spanish motorcycle racer Carles Falcón died from injuries he sustained in a crash at the Dakar Rally a week ago. He was 45.
Messi, Bonmati FIFA’S best
LONDON — Lionel Messi was named FIFA’S best men’s player after moving from Paris Saint-germain to Inter Miami and leading the David Beckham-owned team to a little-known Leagues Cup title — all while single-handedly elevating soccer’s relevance in the United States. He needed a tiebreaker to top Erling Haaland. World Cup champion Aitana Bonmatí of Spain won the women’s award.