OFF AND RUNNING
Pioneers cruise in opener of NCHC tournament
The University of Denver hockey team got two goals from junior forward Jack Devine and a shutout from junior goaltender Matt Davis in a 4-0 win over Minnesota Duluth in the opening game of their NCHC quarterfinal best-of-three series Friday night at Magness Arena.
Davis turned away 17 shots in the win, while Devine scored both of his goals in the second period for the third-ranked Pioneers (25-9-3), who now must beat Minnesota Duluth (12-19-5) once more to move on to the Frozen Faceoff in Saint Paul. The next game is 6 p.m. Saturday at Magness.
Sophomore forward Aidan Thompson, freshman forward Sam Harris and junior forward Tristan Broz each had two assists.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL Michigan fires men’s coach Howard after five seasons
ANN ARBOR, MICH.>> Michigan has fired coach Juwan Howard after five seasons, parting ways with the former Fab Five star whose return to his alma mater included a Big Ten title and advancing in two NCAA Tournaments before closing with two straight disappointing seasons.
Howard finished 82-67 with the Wolverines, reaching some highs and lows. He won a conference regular-season championship and was a win away from the Final Four in 2021, when he was The Associated Press coach of the year. He lost a school-record 24 games this season.
South Carolina approves 6-year extension for Paris
COLUMBIA, S.C.>> The South Carolina board of trustees has approved a new contract extension for men’s basketball coach Lamont Paris that will pay him more than $26 million through 2029-30. Paris is in his second year and has led one of the country’s best turnarounds this season with a program-record tying 26 wins after going 11-21 in his debut season last year.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Conferences agree on 6-year deal to continue College Football Playoff
The nine Bowl Subdivision conferences and Notre Dame have reached an agreement on a six-year deal to continue the College Football Playoff through the 2031 season. The move establishes a revenue-sharing plan and allows the CFP to finalize a new media rights agreement.
Executive Director Bill Hancock says the agreement doesn’t lock in a format for the CFP beyond 2025. The new deal guarantees playoff access for at least five conferences through 2031.
TENNIS
Top-ranked Swiatek routs Kostyuk to reach final
INDIAN WELLS, CALIF. >> Topranked Iga Swiatek has routed Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-1 to reach the BNP Paribas Open final. Swiatek improved to 19-2 this year, with her match wins leading the WTA Tour. She will face the winner of the other semifinal between third-seeded Coco Gauff and No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari on Sunday.
GOLF
PGA Tour player directors encouraged to meet with Saudi backers of LIV Golf
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLA>> Players on the PGA Tour board of directors are moving closer to meeting with the Saudi leader behind rival LIV Golf.
Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth are among the six player directors. They confirmed a Golfweek report that directors are being encouraged to meet with Yasir Al-rumayyan. He’s the governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia that has poured billions into LIV Golf and lured top PGA Tour players away.