UNDATED (AP) — The biggest game of the weekend in the Big 12 is arguably the biggest game in college basketball so far this season: No. 1 Baylor against third-ranked Kansas. The Bears have already beaten the Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse and now welcome Kansas to Waco. On the women's side, second-ranked Baylor plays Oklahoma on Saturday before a quick turnaround Monday night against West Virginia. The Lady Bears are five wins away from completing a perfect conference season.
WICHITA, Kansas (AP) — Jaime Echenique tied his career high with 20 points as Wichita State defeated South Florida 65-55 and the Shockers have secured 20 wins for the 11th straight season. Echenique sank two free throws and Dennis Dexter followed with a 3-pointer as Wichita State fought out of the second of two ties midway through the final period with five unanswered points. Laquincy Rideau had 14 points and six rebounds for the Bulls.
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas City Royals newcomer Maikel Franco is hoping a different look will be a sign of different results this year. Franco didn't have his usual shoulder-length dreadlocks when he arrived at the spring training clubhouse. Instead, his hair was short. Franco was let go by the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting .234 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs last season. The Royals signed him to a one-year contract worth nearly $3 million. Franco is set to become the everyday third baseman for the Royals.
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — The health of Carlos Martinez's shoulder is even more important for the St. Louis Cardinals now that Miles Mikolas will miss the first few weeks of the season because of an inflamed flexor tendon. Shoulder weakness last spring training following off-season surgery prompted the Cardinals to shift Martinez to the bullpen. He eventually replaced injured Jordan Hicks as closer, saving 24 games in 27 chances. St. Louis has an opening for a starter in a rotation projected to include Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson and Adam Wainwright.
National Headlines
NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and miss the rest of the season. Coach Kenny Atkinson said earlier this week that the point guard was still having trouble with the shoulder that sidelined him for 26 games earlier this season. Irving said pain in the shoulder initially worsened after a game on Nov. 4 and he played for about a week before sitting out for nearly two months.
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL owners have voted to accept the negotiated terms for a new collective bargaining agreement, putting the onus on players who plan to hold a conference call today. Team representatives were summoned to New York to discuss the proposal with the league eager to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the players in the next few weeks. Among the items in that proposal are a 17-game schedule, a reduction of the preseason and an increase to the current 27% share of revenues for the players.
PHOENIX (AP) — Major League teams are 7-4 in salary arbitration after beating Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. Realmuto will get a raise from $6.05 million to $10 million instead of his $12.4 million request. He hit .275 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs for the Phils last season after being acquired from Miami just before spring training.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Rory McIlroy is the leader through one round of the Mexico Championship, two strokes ahead of Bubba Watson and Justin Thomas. McIlroy eagled the par-5 11th hole and added five birdies in a 6-under 65. Bryson DeChambeau and Billy Horschel are tied with Louis Oosthuizen and Corey Connors at minus-3, while Hideki Matsuyama, Paul Casey, Patrick Reed and Lee Westwood are among six players at 2 under.
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Roger Federer will miss the French Open and no fewer than three other tournaments while he is sidelined for at least four months after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday. The 20-time Grand Slam champion posted on Facebook yesterday that his knee had been bothering him for a while. It's only the second operation for the 38-year-old Federer. Wimbledon starts June 29.
Thursday Scores
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (2)Gonzaga 71 San Francisco 54
Final Arizona St. 77 (14)Oregon 72
Final (18)Colorado 70 Southern Cal 66
Final (20)Iowa 85 (25)Ohio St. 76
Final (23)BYU 85 Santa Clara 75
Final (24)Arizona 89 Oregon St. 63
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Milwaukee 126 Detroit 106
Final Atlanta 129 Miami 124
Final Charlotte 103 Chicago 93
Final OT Philadelphia 112 Brooklyn 104
Final Sacramento 129 Memphis 125
Final Houston 135 Golden State 105