Final chapter: Teams set, storylines aplenty at NCAA Men’s Final Four
PHOENIX – Final Four week has arrived in the Valley, as UConn, Purdue, NC State, and Alabama fans descend upon Phoenix to watch their teams on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Oscar Valdez captures WBO interim junior lightweight world title for all his ‘beautiful Mexican fans’
GLENDALE – Born in Nogales, Mexico, and raised in Tucson, no one understands Mexican boxing culture like Oscar Valdez. Defeating Liam Wilson in Glendale Friday was just a singular moment in his inspiring career.
‘This is what I live for’: Richard Figueroa defies odds, wins ASU’s first NCAA individual wrestling championship since 2019
PHOENIX – ASU wrestler Richard Figueroa came out on top in the 125-pound weight class at the 2024 Men’s NCAA Wrestling Championship, beating No. 1 ranked Braeden Davis of Penn State and No. 3 ranked Drake Ayala of Iowa on the way to the national title.
Sears is open … again: Alabama guard’s 7 3-pointers lead to MVP award, trip to men’s Final Four
LOS ANGELES – Mark Sears scores 23 points and leads Alabama to its first men’s Final Four appearance in school history. The guard hopes for similar success at State Farm Stadium.
Won, not done: No. 4 seed Alabama heads to Arizona for first men’s Final Four in program history
LOS ANGELES – The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Clemson Tigers to advance to the program's first Final Four. With a chance at a national title, the Tide must face No. 1 overall seed UConn in Glendale.
Arizona’s shooters turn cold as Clemson finally returns to Elite Eight in men’s NCAA Tournament
LOS ANGELES – A poor night of shooting from 3-point range contributes to Arizona’s loss to Clemson in the men’s NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, the Tigers advance to only their second Elite Eight.
Just a backup plan: A’s pitcher Ross Stripling’s passion for finance started before baseball took off
MESA – Ross Stripling brings more to the A’s than eight years of major league experience. The Texas A&M graduate has a strong financial background as a licensed money-manager.
Easy, Tigers: Clemson controls tempo early, knocks off No. 2 Arizona to advance to Elite Eight
LOS ANGELES – In a game of momentum, Clemson was able to hold off Arizona 77-72 in the battle for the jungle. In a men’s NCAA Tournament meeting where Pac-12 Player of the Year Caleb Love struggled, the Tigers advanced to their first Elite Eight since 1980.
‘This team will be ready’: Arizona Diamondbacks’ expectations high entering 2024
PHOENIX – After a shocking 2023 season that saw an underdog Arizona Diamondbacks team take center stage in the World Series, the team has no intentions of backing down now. They’re gunning for it all.
‘Cactus Basketball Hoops’ honor Indigenous community as Final Four nears
SCOTTSDALE – As the men’s Final Four returns to the Valley, four “Cactus Basketball Hoops” designed by local artist Paul Molina incorporate basketball and Indigenous culture for tourists to see.
Battle of the Bigs: Arizona’s Oumar Ballo faces tall task in Sweet 16 matchup against Clemson’s PJ Hall
LOS ANGELES – The matchup between Arizona center Oumar Ballo and Clemson’s PJ Hall will be intriguing to watch considering their different playing styles as Hall scores from shooting mid-range jumpers and posting up compared to Ballo, who primarily gets his points from the low post.
Sponsor surprise turns golfer Kim Paez’s LPGA dreams into reality following recent success
GILBERT – After her recent success in the 2023 Southwest PGA Championship, golfer Kim Paez was surprised with a sponsor exemption allowing her to compete in the inaugural Ford Championship as her first ever LPGA tour event.
