Jack Norris 
The Houston Rockets are set to begin a five-game homestand. Their first opponents are the New Orleans Pelicans, who have won seven of their last ten games. Dejounte Murray’s return to the court has coincided with the Pelicans’ improved form.
Rory McIlroy is defending champion at The Players. Scottie Scheffler is pre-tournament favourite to win the PGA Tour’s flagship event for a third time. The event is being held at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.
Ilya Sorokin is slated to start in goal when the New York Islanders face the LA Kings. Mathew Barzal and Cal Ritchie have swapped lines. Head Coach Patrick Roy has expressed his desire to try new combos.
The Cheltenham Festival concluded after four days of racing at Prestbury Park. Willie Mullins and Paul Townend were the standouts, claiming the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy and The Gold Cup with Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior respectively. Gaelic Warrior won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Willie Mullins as trainer.
Pool play has concluded at the World Baseball Classic and the quarterfinalists are set. Team USA almost didn’t make it after a loss to Italy, while Canada surprised by winning Pool A. The Dominican Republic have hit a tournament-high 13 home runs.
Cornerback Roger McCreary has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions on a one-year deal. McCreary, 26, previously played for the Tennessee Titans, starting 38 games, before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams. He spent a brief period with the Rams before injury.
St. John’s is in the Big East semifinals as the No. 1 seed with a chance to move one win away from back-to-back tournament titles. Rick Pitino’s group looked every bit like the top seed Thursday’s quarterfinal, racing past Providence. The Red Storm now face a Seton Hall team.
Smylie Kaufman, now on Golf Channel, attempted to recreate Si Woo Kim’s shot. He also jinxed himself during a ‘Live From’ segment at TPC Sawgrass. Kaufman declared he’d never hit a ball in the water on the 17th hole, before promptly doing so.
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for February. Eckert led Saints to an unbeaten month of four wins and a draw. Frank Lampard (Coventry) was among the other managers in contention for the award.
Catcher Dylan Winebrenner is a fan of UR’s 10-7 start. Catcher/first baseman Dylan Winebrenner leads the University of Richmond in batting (.359) and ranks second in homers (4). The Spiders (10-7) open A-10 play Friday against visiting Saint Joseph’s (5-9).