Penn State Names Mike Rhoades New Men’s Basketball Coach

March 30, 2023 3:48 am

Penn State has hired VCU’s Mike Rhoades to be its men’s basketball coach. The Pennsylvania native takes over a program coming off its first NCAA Tournament appearance in more than a decade. The Penn State board of trustees approved a seven-year deal worth $25.9 million for Rhoades. He replaces Micah Shrewsberry, who was hired away by Notre Dame last week. Penn State is coming off its first NCAA appearance since 2011 and first NCAA victory since 2001. Rhoades was 129-61 in six seasons as head coach at VCU, including three NCAA Tournament bids. A few hours after Rhoades’ hire was announced on Wednesday, VCU announced it hired Utah State coach Ryan Odom to replace him.

Penguins Fall In Detroit

March 29, 2023 3:56 am

DETROIT (AP) — David Perron had a hat trick in the third period and the Detroit Red Wings overcame the ejection of coach Derek Lalonde to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4. Perron posted his ninth career three-goal game. He scored on a wrist shot early in the third, put Detroit ahead 5-4 on the power play with 3:40 left and added his 19th goal of the season 45 seconds later. Lalonde was assessed a game misconduct during the second period. He profanely argued after unsuccessfully challenging Pittsburgh’s third goal on a claim of goalie interference. Detroit squandered an early three-goal lead and won for just the fourth time in 16 games.

AP Sources; Two Groups Submit Bids For Commanders

March 29, 2023 3:58 am

PHOENIX (AP) — Dan Snyder’s departure from the NFL is moving closer to reality. A group led by Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales and another group led by Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos have submitted fully financed bids for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Two people confirmed the bid from Harris. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because details of the bid have not been publicly announced. The Harris/Rales group includes basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta also has been in the running. Snyder had yet to accept an offer when the league’s finance committee met Monday so his future wasn’t openly discussed.

Unbeaten Gamecocks, Iowa In Women’s Final Four

March 28, 2023 3:50 am

SEATTLE (AP) — South Carolina is two wins away from completing the 10th undefeated season in women’s college basketball history. The Gamecocks headline a Final Four that features tons of star power and the return of a school to the game’s grandest stage in 30 years. South Carolina, which is led by Aliyah Boston, will face Iowa and Caitlin Clark in one semifinal. LSU will play Virginia Tech in the other matchup Friday night. It’s the Hokies first trip to the Final Four in school history. Coach Kenny Brooks is the third Black male coach to take a team this far in NCAA women’s basketball history. Dallas will host the national semifinals this weekend as well as the Division II and III championship games.

Virginia Tech Women Headed To First Final Four

March 28, 2023 3:48 am

SEATTLE (AP) — Elizabeth Kitley scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Georgia Amoore added 24 points and top-seeded Virginia Tech advanced to the Final Four for the first time in school history with an 84-74 win over No. 3 seed Ohio State in the Seattle 3 Regional final. Playing in its first regional final, Virginia Tech won its 15th straight game and will head to the Final Four having not lost in more than two months. The Hokies will face LSU in the national semifinals on Friday in Dallas. Taylor Mikesell led Ohio State with 25 points, but 19 of those came in the first half.V

Lamar Jackson Requests Trade From Ravens

March 28, 2023 3:51 am

Lamar Jackson says he has requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens, saying the team “has not been interested in meeting my value.” The star quarterback said Monday in a series of tweets that he requested a trade as of March 2. On March 7, the Ravens put the nonexclusive franchise tag on Jackson and said they were still hopeful they could reach a long-term deal with him. That version of the franchise tag allowed Jackson to negotiate with other teams, but it also gives Baltimore a chance to match any agreement he makes.

March Madness Rules on WJPA & wjpa.com!

March 27, 2023 1:56 am

WJPA-AM (1450) is your radio home for all the action, running right through the Women’s & Men’s National Championship Games April 2-3. You can also listen online through our partnership with Westwood One and the NCAA! Our Men’s coverage includes feature games each day with expanded coverage through the national semifinals.  And the Women’s Tournament returns to WJPA with Sweet 16, Regional Finals and Final Four action.  WJPA-AM (1450) Listen Here

Saturday, March 25
Men’s Elite 8 (Regional Finals)
#9 Florida Atlantic 79, #3 Kansas State 76
#4 Connecticut 82, #3 Gonzaga 43

Women’s Sweet 16
#2 Maryland 76, #3 Notre Dame 59
#1 South Carolina 59, #4 UCLA 43
#3 Ohio State 73, #2 Connecticut 61
#1 Virginia Tech 73, #4 Tennessee 64

Sunday, March 26
Men’s Elite 8 (Regional Finals)
#5 San Diego State 57, #6 Creighton 56
#5 Miami 88, #2 Texas 81

Women’s Elite 8 (Regional Finals)
#3 LSU 54, #9 Miami 42
#2 Iowa 97, #5 Louisville 83

Monday, March 27
Women’s Elite 8 (Regional Finals)
6:45 pm #1 South Carolina vs. #2 Maryland
9:05 pm #1 Virginia Tech vs. #3 Ohio State

Final Four Newcomers

March 27, 2023 3:51 am

Everyone’s heard of UConn. The rest of the participants in next weekend’s Final Four may need name tags. When they travel to Houston to play for the national title, Florida Atlantic, San Diego State and Miami will all be making their first appearances at the Final Four. It’s the first time since 1970 that three first-timers all showed up in the same year. There will be no No. 1 seed at the Final Four for the first time since 2011. Instead, there will be a 9 seed in Florida Atlantic, two 5s in SDSU and Miami, and a 4 seed in UConn, which opens as an overwhelming favorite.

Top Prospect Volpe, 21, Wins Yankees’ Starting Shortstop Job

March 27, 2023 3:53 am

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Anthony Volpe grew up watching Derek Jeter star at shortstop for the New York Yankees. Now, the 21-year-old is getting the chance to be the Yankees’ opening day shortstop Thursday against the San Francisco Giants. The Yankees announced after a 6-2 win over Toronto that Volpe had won the spot. Volpe was able to share the news with his parents and other family members near the Yankees’ dugout and said it is something he will never forget. Volpe, who grew up a Yankees fan, lived in Manhattan as a child before moving to New Jersey. Jeter was his favorite player.

Sam Burns Wins Final Match Play In Rout

March 27, 2023 3:52 am

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Sam Burns is the final winner of the Dell Match Play, and it was a dud of an ending. After so much excitement over four days at Austin Country Club, Burns beat Cameron Young in just 13 holes. The 6-and-5 victory is the second-largest margin over 18 holes in this tournament. There wasn’t much Young could do against a guy who made eight birdies over his last 10 holes. The big excitement was Sunday morning. Burns narrowly escaped defending champion Scottie Scheffler in 21 holes. Young was 2 down to Rory McIlroy when he rallied to win in 19 holes.