SPORTS HEADLINES

Arizona reaches its first Final Four in 25 years with 79-64 win over Purdue

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Arizona is headed back to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years after the top-seeded Wildcats got 20 points from freshman Koa Peat to beat Purdue 79-64 in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final. After years of disappointment in March, coach Tommy Lloyd has gotten Arizona back to being a championship contender. The Wildcats showed they can win in almost any style. They used a nearly flawless performance on offense to beat Arkansas in the Sweet 16 and then shut down one of the nation’s most efficient offenses against Purdue.

Verstappen again questions his F1 future and says this season could be his last

SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has not ruled out retiring at the end of the Formula 1 season, saying he is trying “very hard” to enjoy racing under the new changes. The Red Bull driver again openly expressed his dissatisfaction on Sunday after an eighth-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, which was won by 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. Verstappen is among the drivers struggling after one of the most significant regulation changes in F1 took place this season. The 28-year-old Verstappen said “That’s what I’m saying” when asked by the BBC if this could be his last season.

Illinois powers its way to its first Final Four in 21 years, beating Iowa 71-59

HOUSTON (AP) — Freshman Keaton Wagler scored 25 points and Illinois ended Iowa’s underdog March Madness run by dominating in the frontcourt, beating the Hawkeyes 71-59 to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2005. This will be the sixth trip to the Final Four for Illinois, which has never won a national title. The Fighting Illinio will face either Duke or UConn next weekend in Indianapolis. The much taller Illini outrebounded Iowa 38-21 in the South Region final. David Mirkovic led the way with 12 rebounds. Wagler was named MVP of the region. Bennett Stirtz scored 24 points for the Hawkeyes, who made an impressive run under first-year coach Ben McCollum.

19-year-old Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes wins Japanese GP for second straight victory

SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Italian 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes has won his second consecutive Formula 1 race, taking the Japanese Grand Prix ahead Oscar Piastri of McLaren. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari was third with George Russell of Mercedes in fourth. McLaren’s Lando Norris was fifth and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari was sixth at the Suzuka circuit in central Japan on a clear, sunny spring afternoon. Antonelli won the first F1 race of his career two weeks ago in China, the second-youngest winner in history. The youngest was Max Verstappen in 2016 at 18.

Replacement officials, kickoffs and other rule changes will be discussed at NFL’s annual meeting

Replacement officials, potential rule changes, artificial intelligence, health and safety issues, international growth and flag football will be among many topics discussed when NFL owners, executives and coaches gather for their annual meeting this week in Arizona. One topic that dominated the conversation this time last year — the tush push — isn’t on the agenda because there is no proposal to eliminate the play even though it was nearly banned in a close vote in 2025. NFC coaches will speak to reporters on Monday, AFC coaches will do so on Tuesday and Commissioner Roger Goodell closes it out.

Less than 2 weeks after his mother’s death, Dominic Smith delivers a historic Braves walk-off

ATLANTA (AP) — Braves designated hitter Dominic Smith’s mother died less than two weeks ago. He said the team has picked him up the last few weeks, and he returned the favor Saturday night. Smith became the first player in MLB history to hit a walk-off grand slam in his debut with a new team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He finished off the Braves’ six-run ninth inning in a 6-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. Smith said the Braves were supportive during spring training.

Olympic champion Caster Semenya disappointed with Kirsty Coventry after IOC’s transgender decision

CAPE TOWN (AP) — Two-time Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya has expressed her disappointment with IOC President Kirsty Coventry over the decision to ban transgender women athletes from competing in women’s events at the Olympics. Semenya said she expected more from a woman leader like Coventry, who is from Zimbabwe and a fellow African. Semenya spoke at a press conference after a women’s race promoted to celebrate female strength, unity and community support in Cape Town. Her comments came three days after the International Olympic Committee excluded transgender women athletes from competing in women’s events at the Olympics or any IOC event.

Geno Auriemma takes aim at the NCAA over the women’s double-regional format in March Madness

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — UConn coach Geno Auriemma is ripping the double-regional format being used in the women’s NCAA Tournament. The 12-time national champion coach says it doesn’t make sense for the teams still playing or in efforts to grow the game. Even before taking questions Saturday from reporters, Auriemma brought up attendance, bad shooting percentages and teams having to come to the arena early and late on the same day when taking aim at the format that’s in place for the fourth year. The format is set to continue for at least five more years.

Tiger Woods is facing an uncertain future off the golf course after his DUI arrest in Florida

Tiger Woods is out of jail and headed for more uncertainty. The first step are legal issues stemming from his Friday arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence after a car crash in Florida. Authorities said they determined he was impaired by medication and Woods was jailed when he refused to take a urine test. The arrest comes at a bad time. Woods is deeply involved in reshaping the PGA Tour. He was days away from deciding whether to be Ryder Cup captain. And he’s scheduled to appear with Masters chairman Fred Ridley on April 5 to celebrate the opening of a golf course project.