Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EDT on Friday, March 28

March 28 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Friday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - MARCH MADNESS NCAA Tournament: Tennessee (11) vs. Michigan (2) INDIANAPOLIS - Midwest regional semifinal opposites Michigan, a guard-oriented Big Ten regular-season champion, and Tennessee, a fourth-place team in the SEC that qualified via the First Four play-in game, square off at Lucas Oil Stadium. (BKC-MICHIGAN-TENNESSEE-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after scheduled the 2316 GMT/7:16 PM ET start, The Sports Xchange, by James Dent, 400-word first lede, 750-word writethru) - - NCAA Tournament: Connecticut (7) vs. Iowa State (3) NEW YORK - No stranger to Madison Square Garden, Connecticut and coach Kevin Ollie return to New York eyeing the upset of Big 12 tournament champion Iowa State. (BKC-IOWASTATE-CONNECTICUT-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the scheduled 2329 GMT/7:29 PM ET start, The Sports Xchange, by Everett Merril, 400-word first lede, 750-word writethru) - - NCAA Tournament: Kentucky (8) vs. Louisville (4) INDIANAPOLIS - No introductions are necessary for Bluegrass rivals Kentucky, a freshman dominated team that knocked off top-seeded Wichita State and has a win over Louisville this season, and the defending national champion Cardinals. (BKC-LOUISVILLE-KENTUCKY-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the scheduled 0145 GMT/9:45 PM ET start, The Sports Xchange, by James Dent, 400-word first lede, 750-word writethru) - - NCAA Tournament: Michigan State (4) vs. Virginia (1) NEW YORK - East regional semifinal counterparts Michigan State (28-8) and Virginia (30-6) fight for a spot in the Elite Eight. (BKC-VIRGINIA-MICHIGANSTATE-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the scheduled 0157 GMT/9:57 PM ET start, The Sports Xchange, by Everett Merrill, 400-word first lede, 750-word writethru) - - Report: UCLA's Anderson, LaVine to enter NBA Draft The day after the Bruins' season ended with a loss to the Florida Gators, UCLA reportedly will now have to replace Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine, who are expected to enter the NBA Draft. (BKC-UCLA-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 250 words) - - - Today's NCAA Tournament schedule at a glance Midwest Region Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana) No. 2 Michigan (27-8) vs. No. 11 Tennessee (24-12), 7:15 PM ET No. 4 Louisville (31-5) vs. No. 8 Kentucky (26-10), 9:45 PM ET - - East Region Madison Square Garden (New York, New York) No. 7 Connecticut (28-8) vs. No. 3 Iowa St. (28-7), 7:27 PM ET No. 4 Michigan St (28-8) vs. No. 1 Virginia (30-6), 9:57 ET - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Eagles release WR Jackson, officially sign QB Sanchez The Philadelphia Eagles releases wide receiver DeSean Jackson after weeks of speculation, while also officially announcing the signing of quarterback Mark Sanchez. (FBN-EAGLES-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - Report: Raiders to sign RB Jones-Drew The Oakland Raiders reportedly agree to a three-year deal with free agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew. (FBN-RAIDERS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 325 words) - - Tracking free agents movers Tracking the bargain shoppers and under-the-radar additions in the third week of NFL free agency. (FBN-NEWS/, separates as needed, The Sports Xchange, 300 words) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION *The Sports Xchange covers all NBA games. Key matchups highlighted below - - Blazers at Bulls CHICAGO - Meeting for the first time since Derrick Rose (right knee) was injured and lost for the season on Nov. 22, the season has taken surprising turns for sinking Portland and streaking Chicago. (BKN-ROCKETS-SIXERS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 2300 GMT/7 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Spurs at Nuggets DENVER - San Antonio rolls into Denver with a 27-8 road record and two single-digit wins over the Nuggets this season. (BKN-NUGGETS-SPURS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0100 GMT/9 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Struggling 76ers not deterred by losing skid The Philadelphia 76ers may be one loss shy of setting the NBA's record for consecutive losses, but rather than seek pity the struggling team is optimistic about what rewards may lie ahead. (NBA-SIXERS/, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, by Frank Pingue, 550 words) - - Crunch time for teams making late push for NBA playoffs The NBA's playoff picture starts to come into focus and there is precious little time for the few teams clinging to slim hopes of joining the postseason party. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/, moved, 400 words) See also: State of play in the NBA playoff race before the regular season ends on April 16. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/ (FACTBOX) - - NBA Wrap: Thunder host Kings with eye on top spot in West The Oklahoma City Thunder, who trail the San Antonio Spurs by three games for top spot in the Western Conference, host the Sacramento Kings in one of 12 games on the NBA schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 975 words) - - The entire NBA slate: Charlotte at Orlando, 7 PM ET Boston at Toronto, 7 PM ET Indiana at Washington, 7 PM ET Cleveland at Brooklyn, 7:30 PM ET Miami at Detroit, 7:30 PM ET Portland at Chicago, 8 PM ET L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, 8 PM ET Utah at New Orleans, 8 PM ET Sacramento at Oklahoma City, 8 PM ET San Antonio at Denver, 9 PM ET New York at Phoenix, 10 PM ET Memphis at Golden State, 10:30 PM ET - - - - GOLF PGA Tour: Texas Open (to March 30) San Antonio, Texas Three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard Americans Chesson Hadley and Andrew Loupe and Australian Steven Bowditch share the clubhouse lead at six-under at TPC San Antonio. (GOLF-PGA/, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, 350 words) - - Creamer and Uribe lead the pack Paula Creamer and Colombia's Mariajo Uribe are tied entering the second round of the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, Calif. (GLF-NEWS/, expect ASAP after leaders finish, The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - Asia fights back but still trails Europe in EurAsia Cup Prayad Marksaeng and Kim Hyung-sung spark a mini revival with a convincing victory in today's foursomes as Asia reduces Europe's lead to four points in the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Kuala Lumpur. (GOLF-EURASIA/, moved, 250 words) - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Season Preview: Comeback Players of the Year Matt Kemp, Starlin Castro and Grady Sizemore are among the former All-Stars poised to stage strong comebacks in 2013. A team-by-team look, as polled by The Sports Xchange correspondents. (BBO-NEWS/, National League to move by 1900 GMT/3 PM ET, expect AL by 0000 GMT/8 PM, The Sports Xchange, 2,200 words) - - Season Preview: Rookie Watch The top rookie to watch on every team entering the 2013 season, as polled by The Sports Xchange team correspondents. (BBO-NEWS/, National League to move by 1900 GMT/3 PM ET, expect AL by 0000 GMT/8 PM, The Sports Xchange, 2,100 words) - - Season Preview: Top Prospects The top prospects to watch in every organization entering the 2013 season, as polled by The Sports Xchange team correspondents. (BBO-NEWS/, National League to move by 1900 GMT/3 PM ET, expect AL by 0000 GMT/8 PM, The Sports Xchange, 2,000 words) - - Season Preview: Detroit Tigers Injuries are already threatening to derail the Detroit Tigers' hunt for a fourth consecutive AL Central title. (BBO-TIGERS-NEWS/, expect by 2330 GMT/7:30 PM ET, by Richard Shook, The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - Season Preview: Chicago White Sox Analysis of the Chicago White Sox strengths and weaknesses entering the season, key notes and complete roster breakdown. (BBO-WHITESOX-NEWS/, expect by 2330 GMT/7:30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - Season Preview: Cleveland Indians Analysis of the Cleveland Indians strengths and weaknesses entering the season, key notes and complete roster breakdown. (BBO-INDIANS-NEWS/, expect by 2330 GMT/7:30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - Season Preview: Kansas City Royals Analysis of the Kansas City Royals strengths and weaknesses entering the season, key notes and complete roster breakdown. (BBO-ROYALS-NEWS/, expect by 2330 GMT/7:30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - Season Preview: Minnesota Twins Analysis of the Minnesota Twins strengths and weaknesses entering the season, key notes and complete roster breakdown. (BBO-TWINS-NEWS/, expect by 2330 GMT/7:30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - Tigers' Cabrera signs record deal Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera, the two-time reigning American League Most Valuable Player, will make a major-league record $292 million over the next 10 years after signing an eight-year contract extension Friday. (BBO-TIGERS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 425 words) - - Red Sox name CF Sizemore starter Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell announces that Grady Sizemore will start in center fielder on Opening Day. (BBO-REDSOX-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 200 words) - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE *The Sports Xchange covers all NHL games. Key matchups highlighted below - - Flyers at Maple Leafs TORONTO - With six straight losses, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to reverse their fortunes and knock off the Philadelphia Flyers and get back into the playoff picture. (HKN-MAPLELEAFS-FLYERS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 2300 GMT/7 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Rangers at Flames CALGARY - Heating up despite being out of the postseason discussion, the Calgary Flames can play spoiler, as they have this week with wins over the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks. (HKN-FLAMES-RANGERS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0100 GMT/9 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Report: Islanders owner looking to sell team Charles Wang is looking to potentially sell his majority stake in the New York Islanders. (HKN-ISLANDERS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 150 words) - - NHL Wrap: Maple Leafs look to snap six-game skid in Philly The Toronto Maple Leafs look to snap a six-game losing skid that has knocked them outside the playoff picture when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers in one of six games on the NHL schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 675 words) - - The entire NHL slate: Toronto at Philadelphia, 7 PM ET Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 PM ET Chicago at Ottawa, 7:30 PM ET Nashville at Dallas, 8:30 PM ET NY Rangers at Calgary, 9 PM ET Anaheim at Edmonton, 9:30 PM ET - - - - COLLEGE ATHLETICS College, athletes wanting to unionize face long battle Northwestern football players who tentatively won the right to unionize are digging in for a lengthy legal and political battle with the Illinois school that could reshape the multimillion-dollar sports business colleges have built around unpaid amateur players. (COLLEGE-FOOTBALL/UNIONS (UPDATE 1), moved, by Amanda Becker, 1,200 words) - - - - AUTO RACING IndyCar preview ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, a 14-turn street course, kicks off the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season. (CAR-SPRINT/, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 450 words) - - Martinsville notebook MARTINSVILLE, Tenn. - The latest news and notes from the track at Martinsville. (CAR-SPRINT-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 2100 GMT/5 PM ET, NASCAR Wire Service, Special to The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - Sprint Cup qualifying MARTINSVILLE, Tenn. - Qualifying for Sunday's STP 500, the first of two races at Martinsville Speedway in 2014. (CAR-SPRINT-NEWS/, expect ASAP after qualifying, scheduled to begin at 2045 GMT/4:45 PM ET, NASCAR Wire Service, special to The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - - - TENNIS Sony Open (to March 30), Miami Nishikori eyes another Miami upset MIAMI - After upset wins over fourth-seed David Ferrer and 17-time grand slam winner Roger Federer, Japan's Kei Nishikori has set his sights on three-time Sony Open champion Novak Djokovic in one of two semi-finals at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park. (TENNIS-MIAMI/ (PIX), expect lead by 2300 GMT/7 PM ET, by Steve Keating, 400 words) - - - - OSCAR PISTORIUS Pistorius murder trial adjourned until April 7 PRETORIA - The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius is adjourned until April 7, when the South African Paralympic and Olympic track star is expected to take the stand in his own defense in a high-stakes bid to prove his innocence and avoid life in prison. (US-SAFRICA-PISTORIUS/ (PIX), moved, 275 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)