NEW YORK (AP) — Monday was supposed to be the night that women's college basketball got put in the national spotlight with the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal. But the tournament was canceled because of the new coronavirus. So instead of celebrating a spot in the NCAAs, teams and coaches across the country were left to think about what might have been. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley broke the news to her players via text. Oregon coach Kelly Graves got to talk to some players who were still on campus when the tournament was called off. He says it's “unfortunate” but "there's a lot bigger things going on that put it in perspective.”
UNDATED (AP) — Before fears about the coronavirus scrubbed sports for the foreseeable future, Sunday was supposed to be the Big Reveal in college basketball. Selection Sunday. The day when Americans gathered around a TV for an hour to watch the brackets being revealed. But there will be no NCAA Tournament this year. No upsets. No Sweet 16. No Final Four. No office pool. Now all sports fans can do is guess what might have been. The Kansas Jayhawks were steaming toward a top seed. Right behind them were Gonzaga, Dayton and Baylor. But as everyone knows, the tournament never goes to form. That's why they call it March Madness. This year, though, “March Sadness” feels more like it.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on Chris Jones. That raises the possibility that the Pro Bowl defensive tackle will remain with the Super Bowl champions for at least one more season. The nonexclusive tag means Jones must be offered a one-year contract for no less than the average of the top five salary cap hits at defensive tackle for the previous five years. It also means that if Jones signs an offer sheet from another team, the Chiefs can match that offer or let him go and receive two first-round picks as compensation.
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has accepted a two-year, $66 million contract extension. Cousins was entering the final season of the fully guaranteed, three-year, $84 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2018. He was scheduled to count $31 million against the salary cap, but a personal familiar with the trade tells The Associated Press the new pact will reduce by $10 million the team's charge for 2020.
UNDATED (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have placed their exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, securing his rights for an estimated $31.5 million while the sides continue working on a long-term deal. Prescott has played his entire four-year NFL career with the Cowboys and threw for over 4,900 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season.
UNDATED (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have picked up three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans for running back David Johnson and draft picks. That’s according to a person familiar with the trade. Hopkins has three years remaining on a five-year, $81 million deal he signed in 2017. He caught 104 passes for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns last year.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have tagged Derrick Henry as their franchise player, making sure they keep the NFL rushing leader around for at least this season. Henry had 1,540 yards rushing during the 2019 regular season before gaining another 377 yards in Tennessee’s first two playoff games, leading the Titans to the AFC title game.
UNDATED (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have shipped defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the No. 13 pick in this year's draft. A person familiar with the deal said Buckner will receive a new contract worth $21 million a year from the Colts. The fourth-year pro had 7 ½ sacks and 34 solo tackles last year. The trade was completed immediately after the 49ers announced a deal to keep defensive lineman Arik Armstead with a five-year contract worth up to $85 million.