COLLEGE FOOTBALL-MICHIGAN
Report: Harbaugh set to return to Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) β Without doubt, Jim Harbaugh has the pedigree to become a successful head coach at the University of Michigan. He quarterbacked the team for three seasons under legendary coach Bo Schembechler (SHEM’-bek-lur), delivered a guaranteed win over arch rival Ohio State in 1986 and was Big Ten player of the year the same season and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting.
As a coach he led Stanford to success before taking over the NFL 49ers, where he coached the team to three straight NFC championship games and a spot in the 2013 Super Bowl. An 8-8 finish this season with San Francisco led to his leaving the team under a “mutual decision.”
Now, according to reports, Harbaugh is set to return to Michigan as head coach, replacing Brady Hoke, who led the Wolverines to a 5-7 record this season.
A person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press late Monday that a deal has been struck and that Harbaugh will be introduced today. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no formal announcement from the school or Harbaugh, who arrived at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport last night.
FOOTBALL-BOWL GAMES
Another trio of bowl games
UNDATED (AP) β As was the case yesterday, there are three bowl games being played today. The earliest start has Notre Dame taking on LSU in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee, followed by the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Louisville playing Georgia and then the Fosters Farm Bowl in Santa Clara, California, with Stanford playing Maryland.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Good matchup in Portland tonight
UNDATED (AP) β Two division leaders are meeting tonight in Portland as the Blazers entertain the Raptors. Toronto comes into the game in first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 24-7 while the Blazers are first in the Northwest with 25 wins and 7 defeats.
The top two teams in the Southeast Division are in action tonight. Washington and Atlanta start the day tied for first with records of 22-8. Tonight the Hawks are home to Cleveland while the Wizards are in Dallas.
The red-hot Bulls are home to the Nets this evening. Chicago has won 7 straight and 9 of 10 to increase its record to 22-9.
Southwest Division leader Memphis has a test tonight on the home court with a game against league champion and division rival San Antonio. The Grizzlies enter the game four games up on the Spurs.
The rest of the schedule has Detroit playing at Orlando, the Pelicans home to the Suns, L.A.’s Lakers at Denver, Utah home to Minnesota and Golden State playing host to Philadelphia. The Sixers are a league-worst 4-25 while the Warriors lead the Pacific Division with wins in 24 of their 29 games.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Oilers and Sharks looking for a win
UNDATED (AP) β Edmonton’s Oilers are desperately in need of a victory. Winless in their last nine outings, the Oilers are home this evening to the league champion Los Angeles Kings.
San Jose is looking to get back on track tonight with a win. The Sharks have dropped two straight after winning five in a row. In their last 12 games they are 9-2-1. This evening the Sharks are home to Vancouver’s Canucks.
Montreal is doing quite well of late. The Canadiens have won 3 straight and 6 of 7. They are doing it with defense as the Habs have not allowed an opponent to score more than 2 goals in a game since Dec. 6. Tonight the Canadiens are at Florida.
And in the final game, St. Louis is skating at Nashville. This is the fourth meeting of the season between the two clubs with Nashville having won two of the first three.
T25 MEN’S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE
Busy day of Top-25 play
UNDATED (AP) β There are four matinee games in men’s Top-25 basketball today. The schedule shows fifth-ranked Louisville entertaining Long Beach State, No. 12 Maryland at Michigan State, 17th-ranked West Virginia at home to Virginia Tech and 20th-ranked Ohio State hosting Iowa.
In games this evening, third-ranked Virginia is home to Davidson while No. 10 Utah is playing Carroll of Montana, 13th-ranked Kansas is home to Kent State, 14th-ranked Notre Dame at home to Hartford, No. 19 North Carolina home to William and Mary and 22nd-ranked Baylor home to Norfolk State.
