The highlights of Saturday's AP Sports report. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games and events, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, https://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan. You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page, https://newsroom.ap.org. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports
For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
The supervisor is Jay Cohen, followed by Erica Hunzinger at 5 p.m. and Vin Cherwoo at 1 a.m. The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636. Agate, 800-300-8340.
The AP’s Ralph Russo hosts the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/idhttps-podcasts-apple-com-us-podcast-ap-top-25-college/id1138957862
The AP’s Rob Maaddi hosts the latest AP Pro Football Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ap-pro-football-podcast/id1531528440
All times EDT
TOP STORIES
FBN--49ERS-PACKERS
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers and the top-seeded Green Bay Packers host the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC divisional playoff game that marks the ninth time these storied franchises have faced off in the postseason. They split their previous eight playoff meetings. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts 8:15 p.m.
FBN--BENGALS-TITANS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans, fresh off a first-round bye, host AFC North champ Cincinnati, fresh off snapping a 31-year postseason drought, with a spot in the AFC championship on the line. By Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts 4:30 p.m.
TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN
MELBOURNE, Australia — Daniil Medvedev has reached the fourth round at the Australian Open for a fourth straight year after a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win over Botic Van de Zandschulp. He’s got the crowd back on his side, too. By John Pye. SENT: 850 words, photos. With TEN--Australian Open-Notebook (Sent) and TEN--Australian Open-Glance (Sent).
MMA--UFC 270
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Francis Ngannou defends his UFC heavyweight title against fellow hulking Frenchman Ciryl Gane in a fascinating main-event matchup at the UFC's first pay-per-view show of 2022. Brandon Moreno also defends his flyweight belt just 110 miles from his native Tijuana, Mexico, when he completes a 13-month trilogy of fights with Brazilian ex-champ Deiveson Figuereido. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 750 words. Main event starts around 11:45 p.m.
NOTABLE
BKC--T25-KENTUCKY-AUBURN
AUBURN, Ala. — No. 2 Auburn hosts 12th-ranked Kentucky in perhaps the biggest game in Auburn Arena history. By John Zenor. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 1 p.m.
BKN--TRAIL BLAZERS-LILLARD
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard speaks to the media for the first time since having abdominal surgery. By Anne M. Peterson. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos by 7 p.m.
US--UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DOCTOR-ASSAULT
Jon Vaugh's camper has been parked since early October outside the home of the University of Michigan's president to compel the school to reveal more from its investigation into former sports doctor Robert Anderson. Despite the university's announcement of a $490 million settlement with students and student-athletes molested by Anderson, Vaughn says he still is seeking answers and the camper will stay. By Corey Williams and Mike Householder. SENT: 700 words, photos.
OLY--HKW-USA-HILARY KNIGHT
In preparing to make her fourth Winter Games appearance, Hilary Knight isn’t ready to say whether this will be her last with the United States women’s hockey team. The 32-year-old, who has numerous connections to Boston, will joke that between Olympics and World Championship competition, that she has more rings than Tom Brady and, perhaps, she might consider quitting while she’s ahead. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. SENT: 800 words, photos.
OLY--FRE-THE COMEBACK
ASPEN, Colo. — American freestyle skier Aaron Blunck landed on the lip of the halfpipe a little over a year ago while working on a switch double cork 1440. In the crash, he lacerated his kidney, broke ribs, fractured his pelvis and bruised his heart. While down in the halfpipe and waiting for a helicopter to take him to the hospital, he told his coach, "Please don’t let me die.” He's recovered and now a medal contender heading into the Beijing Games. By Pat Graham. SENT: 850 words, photos.
___
Saturday Time Schedule
NFL Playoffs
Cincinnati at Tennessee, 4:30 p.m.
San Francisco at Green Bay, 8:15 p.m.
NBA
Sacramento at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 8 p.m.
Indiana at Phoenix, 9 p.m.
NHL
Philadelphia at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Winnipeg at Boston, 3 p.m.
Arizona at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.
Carolina at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Montreal at Colorado, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Washington, 7 p.m.
Toronto at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Nashville, 8:30 p.m.
Chicago at Minnesota, 9 p.m.
Calgary at Edmonton, 10 p.m.
Tampa Bay at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Top 25
Men
No. 2 Auburn vs. No. 12 Kentucky, 1 p.m.
No. 5 Baylor at Oklahoma, 3 p.m.
No. 6 Duke vs. Syracuse, Noon
No. 7 Kansas at Kansas St., 4 p.m.
No. 9 UCLA at Colorado, 9 p.m.
No. 10 Houston vs. East Carolina, 6 p.m.
No. 11 Villanova at Georgetown, Noon
No. 13 LSU at No. 24 Tennessee, 6 p.m.
No. 15 Iowa St. vs. TCU, 4 p.m.
No. 16 Southern Cal at Utah, 6:30 p.m.
No. 18 Texas Tech vs. West Virginia, Noon
No. 22 Loyola Chicago vs. Missouri St., 3:30 p.m.
No. 23 Texas vs. Oklahoma St., 2 p.m.
Women
No. 15 Texas at TCU, 2 p.m.
No. 17 BYU at San Diego, 5 p.m.
No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast at Jacksonville St., 2:45 p.m.
The Associated Press
