Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96
Tony Bennett, the eminent stylist and last of the great saloon singers whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" graced a decadeslong career, has died at 96.
Jon Batiste tops Grammys; Silk Sonic soars, Rodrigo crowned
Jon Batiste won album of the year honors for โWe Areโ at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, giving him five trophies on a night that saw the โ70s funk of Silk Sonic take record of the year and song of the year and newcomer Olivia Rodrigo take three awards.
Coronavirus doesn't care that it's the NCAA Tournament
The Indiana Farmers Coliseum scoreboard goes dark after a first round NCAA college basketball tournament game between Iowa and Grand Canyon Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)If you didnโt pay attention to college basketball until the NCAA Tournament, the good news is you didnโt miss much. The loss marked the second time in the Cavaliersโ last three NCAA Tournament appearances โ this time as a No. โHe kind of got his legs under him and he was really, really good in the second half,โ Self said afterward. โI mean really, really good.โ___More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and updated bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket
Virginia loses 62-58 to Preston, Ohio, ending title defense
Coming out of quarantine after a positive COVID-19 test, Virginiaโs unusual title defense was stopped by another upset loss in the NCAA Tournament, falling 62-58 to Jason Preston and Ohio on Saturday. Preston and Ben Vander Plas, the two stars of Ohio's surprising Mid-American Conference Tournament run, were back at it. When it was over, Vander Plas raced over to give Bennett a hug. AdโObviously, itโs a huge win, being the 13 seed coming out and getting a win in the NCAA Tournament is big." Vander Plas said.
The Latest: 12th-seeded Oregon State upsets No. 5 Tennessee
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)The Latest on the first round of the NCAA Tournament (all times Eastern):___6:50 p.m.Another first-round upset as 12th-seeded Oregon State defeated No. 9 seed Georgia Tech 71-60 on Friday to mark a triumphant return to the NCAA Tournament. Senior guard Bubba Parham, who is 5-10, got the start instead as Georgia Tech went with a guard-heavy look. AdIllinois will face eighth-seeded Loyola Chicago or ninth-seeded Georgia Tech in the second round of the Midwest Regional on Sunday. Ad___2:10 p.m.Players from several NCAA Tournament teams took a knee during the playing of the national anthem before their first-round games.
Stuck in quarantine, Virginia has spot in tournament waiting
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)Virginia has a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Virginia was forced to withdraw from the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament semifinals Friday because a person with the team tested positive for COVID-19. โItโs certainly a unique way to prepare for the NCAA Tournament. There are replacement teams waiting if Virginia, or any team, needs to pull out of the tournament. Bennett is hopeful Virginia will take the court as scheduled, 7:15 p.m. Eastern on Saturday night at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
Commonwealth well represented at NCAA Tournament
ROANOKE, Va. โ Sundayโs NCAA Selection Show yielded rich results for 5 schools across the Commonwealth. โItโs certainly a unique way to prepare for the NCAA Tournament,โ Bennett said. In just his second year in Blacksburg, ACC Coach of the Year Mike Young, has guided the Hokies to their 12th NCAA Tournament appearance, fourth consecutive. The Spartans were last in the NCAA DI Tournament in 2012 as a No. This marks the Ramsโ 18th appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Going dancing: Virginia tabbed as a 4 seed for NCAA Tournament
This now marks the eighth time under head coach Tony Bennett that the Wahoos will be part of the Tournament field. UVA held a 17-6 record in the regular season and added a win in the ACC Tournament against Syracuse. Their lineup features All-ACC First Team honoree Sam Hauser, All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Defensive team honoree Jay Huff, and All-ACC Honorable Mention Kihei Clark. Virginiaโs run for an ACC Tournament Championship was cut short when the program had a positive COVID-19 test result after its quarterfinal matchup with Syracuse. โItโs certainly a unique way to prepare for the NCAA Tournament,โ Bennett said.
The Latest on Selection Sunday: NCAAs start with SWAC vs NEC
Virginia was forced to withdraw from the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Saturday because of a single COVID-19 case. They were already missing David McCormack and Tristan Enaruna, who both tested positive before the conference tournament. Pitino is the fifth coach to lead five teams to the NCAA Tournament, joining Lon Kruger and Tuby Smith. The Cougars routed Cincinnati in the AAC final, ending the Bearcats hope of slipping into the NCAA Tournament field of 68 as an automatic qualifier. 7 Houston and Cincinnati, which needs to win to get in the NCAA field.
No. 11 Kansas withdraws from Big 12 tourney due to COVID-19
Kansas head coach Bill Self watches player introductions before an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 men's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 11, 2021. โ Kansas withdrew from the Big 12 Tournament on Friday after a positive COVID-19 test within the men's basketball program, becoming the third major team to have its conference postseason come to an end beceause of the coronavirus. โObviously we are disappointed and our players are disappointed that they can't continue to compete for the Big 12 championship,โ Jayhawks coach Bill Self said in a statement. It remained to be seen whether the Longhorns will return a positive test before the Big 12 title game. On Thursday, perennial power Duke pulled out of the ACC Tournament after a pair of wins because of a positive test.
Positive COVID-19 tests derail Kansas, Virginia tourney runs
That day turned out to be the end of the college basketball season. Hours later, Kansas announced its withdrawal from the Big 12 Tournament, leading to the cancellation of its semifinal matchup with No. The Jayhawks said in a statement they would continue preparing for the NCAA Tournament, which starts Thursday. Duke withdrew from the ACC Tournament and ended its season amid its own positive test before facing the 15th-ranked Seminoles in the quarterfinals. The tournament protocols include requiring each member of a team's travel party to complete seven negative COVID-19 tests before leaving for Indianapolis.
Hauser helps No. 21 Virginia end skid, beat Miami 62-51
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. โ Sam Hauser scored 18 points and No. 21 Virginia ended a three-game skid by handing Miami its sixth loss in a row, 62-51. Trey Murphy III added 12 points for the 16-6 Cavaliers, who took command with a 14-2 run to end the first half. It was very important and as we talked about Justin (McKoy), even โPapiโ Francisco (Caffaro) gave us a good lift. Hopefully we can keep that.โMiami closed within six points several times after halftime, but each time Virginia kept the Hurricanes from getting closer.
Duke upsets No. 7 Virginia 66-65 for 3rd straight ACC win
Duke Menโs Basketball takes on the University of Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at the Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2021 at Durham, North Carolina. โIt seemed like everybody contributed to making a big play, big plays down (at) the end," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. BIG PICTURE:Virginia: The Cavaliers were coming off Monday's 81-60 loss to the Seminoles, marking their most lopsided ACC defeat in four years. UP NEXTVirginia: The Cavaliers host North Carolina State on Wednesday. Duke: The Blue Devils host Syracuse on Monday.
Huff, Hauser lead No. 9 Virginia past UNC, 60-48
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. โ Jay Huff had 18 points and 12 rebounds and No. 9 Virginia took control early and beat North Carolina for the seventh consecutive time 60-48. Sam Hauser added 17 points for 15-3 Virginia and Trey Murphy III had 12 as the ACC-leading Cavaliers won their fourth in a row. The Cavaliers led 21-4 midway through the first half as the Tar Heels missed 13 of their first 15 shots. Luckily we were able to stop that for the most part,โ said Cavaliers center Jay Huff.
The Latest: More ACC changes to men's basketball schedule
Virginia head coach Tony Bennett during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Saturdayโs Atlantic Coast Conference menโs basketball game between Louisville and No. The postponement follows one earlier Wednesday between Louisville at Syracuse following a positive test, quarantining and contact tracing within the Cardinalsโ program. The league cited a combination of a positive test, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Lady Volsโ program. ___The Atlantic Coast Conference says Louisvilleโs menโs basketball game at Syracuse scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed. AdThe league said the postponement was due to a positive COVID-19 test, quarantining and contact tracing within the Cardinals' program.
Music helping Tony Bennett battle Alzheimerโs disease
FILE - Singer Tony Bennett performs at the Statue of Liberty Museum opening celebration in New York on May 15, 2019. Bennett has been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease but the diagnosis hasnt quieted his legendary voice. The singers wife and son reveal in the latest edition of AARP The Magazine that Bennett was first diagnosed in 2016. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ Tony Bennett has been diagnosed with Alzheimerโs disease but it hasn't quieted his legendary voice. AdAccording to the Alzheimerโs Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimerโs dementia and one in 10 people age 65 and older has Alzheimerโs dementia.
Hauser, Huff lead No. 8 Virginia past Syracuse 81-58
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. โ Sam Hauser hit seven of Virginiaโs 14 3-pointers and the No. 8 Cavaliers cruised to an 81-58 victory against Syracuse. Hauser hit five 3s before halftime as Virginia took a 41-26 lead into the locker room. Virginiaโs Jay Huff added a career-high 21 points to go along with 12 rebounds. โI liked our movement and how we shared the ball,โ said Virginia head coach Tony Bennett.
Hauser, Clark lift No. 13 Virginia past Georgia Tech, 64-62
13 Virginia survived a scare before rallying to beat Georgia Tech 64-62. Kihei Clark scored only two points for 10-2 Virginia, but they came on a short jumper with 1:09 left that broke a 62-all tie. Theyโre really good at playing with great confidence, they play fast and theyโre quick. What I saw down the stretch is, I thought our on-ball defense really stepped up. They played really good defense, but I think we could get some of what we wanted.
From presidents to faded stars, all welcomed by Larry King
George W. Bush jokes with CNN's Larry King after finishing the "Larry King Live" show from the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tenn. King, who interviewed presidents, movie stars and ordinary Joes during a half-century in broadcasting, has died at age 87. For 25 years until 2010, โLarry King Liveโ was a fixture on CNN's weeknight schedule, and that was after a lengthy career as a late-night radio host. So did โLarry King Live.โ He was busy. โLarry King Liveโ was a type of show that would feel foreign on cable news today, given its obsession with hard-nosed political combat. โMy dad always asked me, 'Did you see who Larry King talked to last night?'"
No. 18 Virginia routs No. 12 Clemson to stay perfect in ACC
CLEMSON, S.C. โ Sam Hauser and Tomas Woldetensae had 14 points and four 3-pointers apiece as No. 18 Virginia won its 11th straight over 12th-ranked Clemson with an 85-50 victory. The Cavaliers moved to 5-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, their best start to league play since opening 12-0 in 2017-18. Virginia won its fifth straight since losing to No. โWeโre learning about our team, weโre growing, weโre becoming steadier,โ said Virginia head coach Tony Bennett.
Virginia rallies past Wake Forest 70-61
Obviously, we didnโt have a lot of numbers in the rotation, but we played tough enough in the second half. We responded well to adversity and being shorthanded and, you know, a very good second half. I think heโs, heโs quiet by nature but he does stuff. At first we werenโt really pressuring the ball and then in the second half we really started pressuring the ball. You know Coach [Jason] Williford, Coach [Brad] Soderberg, Coach โOโ [Orlando Vandross], Coach [Kyle] Getter and Coach [Larry] Mangino.
No. 23 Virginia beats Notre Dame 66-57 in ACC opener
23 Virginia continued its dominance over Notre Dame with a 66-57 victory Wednesday night. Jay Huff scored 15 points for Virginia, and Sam Hauser added 13 points and 10 rebounds. I think thereโs just some good offensive plays,โ said Virginia head coach Tony Bennett. I thought we made enough good offensive plays, took advantage and then enough key stops. But enough good plays defensively and offensively.
Big Ten grind highlights marquee matchups of ranked teams
17 Michigan State โ sets the stage for what could be an epic start to the new year in the improbably deep Big Ten. 15 Illinois and Michigan State visits the Cornhuskers. The weekend wraps up Sunday with Wisconsin visiting Penn State, Northwestern heading to Michigan and Ohio State traveling to Minnesota in a pair of matchups involving ranked teams. The Hokies already have wins over teams that were ranked in Villanova and Clemson. BIG 12 BATTLESThe Big Ten has the most teams in the Top 25 but the Big 12 may have the best โ the league has five teams ranked in the top 13.
Gonzaga, Big Ten continue to dominate Top 25; Wisconsin 6th
(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)It's hard to decide who has been more dominant in men's college basketball this season: Gonzaga or the Big Ten Conference. The sixth-ranked Badgers began a run of Top 25 teams from the league, jumping three spots after wins over Nebraska and then-No. 12 Michigan State. The Hawkeyes dropped from fourth to 10th while surprising Rutgers began a run of four more Big Ten teams at No. Minnesota, whose lone loss came to Illinois and which was last ranked on Dec. 4, 2017, plays its next six against Top 25 teams: Michigan State, at Wisconsin, Ohio State, at Michigan, at Iowa and the Wolverines at home.
No. 1 Gonzaga rolls over most recent champ Virginia, 98-75
Kispert scored a career-high 32 points and tied a school record with nine 3-pointers, leading the Zags to a 98-75 romp over 16th-ranked Virginia on Saturday. After the Zags' game against No. Gonzaga: The Zags didn't cool off at all in the second half after Kispert came out hitting 3-pointers almost from the start. Gonzaga shot 68% after halftime to beat Virginia for the third time in four meetings in the series. Gonzaga: Northern Arizona at home Monday in the last of four consecutive games added after the five-game coronavirus pause.
Virginia returns from Covid hiatus, dunks William & Mary
FILE - Virginia head coach Tony Bennett directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, Va., in this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, file photo. I talked to them about our two pillars I said, โWill you be humble and will you be passionate today. Iโve been fortunate enough as a coach at Washington State to play against the good Gonzaga teams. Theyโre a very good team, a very talented team. I think we really just missed each other a lot and weโre all just happy to play with each other again.
Hauser lifts No. 15 Virginia past Kent State in OT, 71-64
15 Virginia thought they had the game won in regulation, but after Kent State missed three 3-point attempts and kept rebounding the ball, Danny Pippen swished a 3 at the buzzer, forcing overtime. ADVERTISEMENTThat effort was key after Kent State shot 55.6% in the second half. Mike Nuga scored 20 points, Pippen had 13 and Justyn Hamilton had 12 for Kent State (1-1). They were playing their second game after their opener against Purdue Fort Wayne was postponed. UP NEXTThe Golden Flashes play at Detroit Mercy next Wednesday night.
No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first time
FILE - Gonzaga players celebrate after defeating Saint Mary's in an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the West Coast Conference men's tournament in Las Vegas, in this Tuesday, March 10, 2020, file photo. Gonzaga will begin the college basketball season No. 1 for the first time after coach Mark Few's bunch earned 28 first-place votes in the preseason AP Top 25 poll released Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first time
Iowa was picked fifth behind national player of the year front-runner Luka Garza, its highest preseason ranking in school history. The Bears, who also have their highest preseason ranking, spent five weeks at No. THE REST OF THE POLLCreighton lost Ty-Shon Alexander to the NBA and Davion Mintz to Kentucky but still landed the highest preseason ranking in school history at No. 17, its highest preseason ranking since the final Phi Slama Jama team of Hakeem Olajuwon began the 1983-84 season at No. 6 in the final poll last season but losing Mountain West player of the year Malachi Flynn and two other elite producers.
Romance song master Armando Manzanero has more music to give
At 84, the Mexican master of romantic music, who has penned Spanish classics such as โSomos Noviosโ and โContigo Aprendรญโ, is still working the tunes on his piano. The Latin Grammy-winner was also celebrated for his career in 2010 by the Latin Recording Academy. MANZANERO: I am the proudest about still having to sing โAdoro,โ โSomos Novios,โ โPor Debajo de la Mesaโ when I go out to work. MANZANERO: When you talk about Angรฉlica Marรญa, you are talking about an eternal character. MANZANERO: I carry the flag of the best music in the world, the most beautiful music, and I am not the one who created it.
Whitey Ford, Hall of Fame ace for mighty Yankees, died at 91
FILE - In this June 12, 2016 file photo, former New York Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford waves to fans from outside the dugout at the Yankees' annual Old Timers Day baseball game in New York. A family member tells The Associated Press on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 that Ford died at his Long Island home Thursday night. Ford won 236 games and lost just 106, a winning percentage of .690. Ford holds records for World Series wins (10), games and starts (22), innings pitched (146) and strikeouts (94). Ford won 18 games in his first season back and never won fewer than 11 for 13 straight seasons.
ACC coaches back idea of all D-I teams in 2021 NCAA tourney
RALEIGH, N.C. Atlantic Coast Conference mens basketball coaches are pushing the idea of having next years NCAA Tournament include all eligible teams in Division I. Numerous league schools and coaches released statements Wednesday after the coaches held their weekly call to discuss the proposal, which was first reported by Stadium. There are 357 Division I programs in the country, with NCAA spokeswoman Meghan Durham saying 346 of those are eligible to play in next year's tournament. This is not a regular season, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement. Those schedules were released in early August, slightly more than a month before Thursdays UAB-Miami game kicks off the season.
A Long-Overdue 'Tip of the Cap' to baseball's Black pioneers
Not long after, with many of its best players gradually following Robinsons path, the Negro Leagues ceased operations. President Clinton said he chose a Chicago Cubs cap in honor of Ernie Banks, the late Hall of Famer who got his start in the Negro Leagues. Long before that, the Negro Leagues made baseball better and America better.The celebration was moved online after a major league-wide tribute to baseballs Black pioneers scheduled for June 27 was shelved along with the games because of the coronavirus pandemic. So then I thought, How about a virtual tip of the cap?''' I always felt if there was going to be conversations about race in sports, the Negro Leagues should be at the center, because thats the story: They triumphed over adversity.
Local college coaches, teams make statements in response to recent social injustice
Many college athletes have been pondering the same thing while also speaking out, which is why the Virginia Tech football program recently held a team meeting via Zoom. Virginia Tech Football Statement pic.twitter.com/YpXxEcvkPp Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) May 31, 2020The program reiterated that they remain committed to being part of a solution to the problem, striving to work and live together in harmony.Coaches from the University of Virginia also released statements over the weekend. My Lord teaches faith without works is dead and loving one another with kindness and compassion filled with good deeds is the right way, said Bennett. That is the right way. Unified diversity is powerful and right, and the prayer of my heart for these times, Bennett said.
WATCH LIVE: Virginia Graduates Together
ROANOKE, Va. โ Not being able to have a traditional graduation, Virginia is getting creative to celebrate the Class of 2020. Virginians are invited to join Gov. Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam in honoring the graduates during a statewide virtual celebration at 5 p.m. on FridayProminent Virginians appearing in the program include former Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, University of Virginiaโs menโs basketball coach Tony Bennett, Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox, Denver Nuggets guard Troy Daniels, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris, United States Senator Tim Kaine, Los Angeles Rams linebacker Micah Kiser, musician Dave Matthews, comedian Jay Pharoah, Virginia Beach Councilman Aaron Rouse, Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, New York Liberty forward Megan Walker, United States Senator Mark Warner, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, actress Constance Wu, and World Series Champion Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
Global concert industry in flux as coronavirus spreads
We donโt take sick days.โโOnce youโre on a tour like this, youโre in contact with thousands of people. Andrew Cuomo said the state would ban all gatherings with 500 or more people to battle the coronavirus. Thatโs a concern for the festival business and destination festivals, where people come from all over the country, if not the world,โ Waddell said. Pollstarโs Waddell said that people are going to concerts more than ever and the live performance industry is flourishing. ...Itโs unfortunate that a wrench gets thrown into that scenario, which has been so positive for touring artists at a time when touring revenue is the most important part of a career,โ he said.
Braxton Key returning to form for UVA Cavaliers
ROANOKE, Va. โ The Virginia Cavaliers have certainly had a boost of offensive production of late, including Saturday, as they won their third consecutive match up against Virginia Tech. He notched a double-double, 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Hokies and seems to be returning to form. Itโs a lot lighter, I have more access to my palms so catching the ball and shooting feels a lot better. I felt more comfortable with less padding, less tape it felt great,โ Key said. In the nine games heโs played in, Key is averaging just under 10 points, 7 rebounds per game and shooting 50 percent from the field.
Virginia's basketball coach turns down big raise after championship title
You have to wonder if the Virginia head basketball coach has ever viewed the 1990s Tom Cruise flick, famous for its "show me the money" catchphrase. Bennett, who led the Virginia men's basketball team to its first national title earlier this year, declined what the university described as a "substantial" raise. Instead the coach asked that financial investments be made to improve the basketball program he's run for a decade, and other sports under the school's athletic program. "This just does not happen in our industry," said Virginia athletic director Carla Williams, who was tasked with making revisions to Bennett's contract. Instead of taking the big raise, Bennett got another year tacked onto his current deal, which now runs for seven years.