BCS NOTEBOOK: For Martinez, BCS an emotional homecoming

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | When he was 14, Arturo Martinez was essentially told he was dying. Leukemia, stage IV. As bad as it gets.

ND wide receiver Toma ready for 'Rudy vs. Forrest Gump'

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. | Brian Kelly walked off the tarmac, hopped aboard one of Notre Dame's team buses that bore his image on the side and grinned broadly as he sat in the driver's seat.

Miami, Notre Dame to square off once again

The Catholics vs. Convicts T-shirts, they're likely faded now. No one expects a reprise of the so-called "tussle in the tunnel" this time around. And any sense of venomous back-and-forth dialogue simply has been nonexistent this week.

US wins medal count, but British celebrate as well

LONDON | Most medals, most gold medals. The U.S. got what it wanted from these Olympics.

Rhode's drive for 5 capped by skeet gold medal

LONDON | Step aside, Carl Lewis.

LeBron and the Heat overcome pain of 2011 NBA Finals flop

MIAMI | A year ago, with an easier path, the Miami Heat fell short of their championship goal.

Howard doing his part with Heat from the sideline

MIAMI | Juwan Howard thinks he might want to coach when his playing career is over. He's apparently started taking steps toward that gig in these playoffs.

If LeBron wins, perceptions of him may change

MIAMI | LeBron James has been called heartless, callous, narcissistic, cowardly and selfish.

James, Heat on brink of a title

MIAMI | LeBron James has never been here before.

Riley selected as Chuck Daly Award recipient

MIAMI | Pat Riley was walking out of Chuck Daly's hospital room in 2009, got to the doorway and turned around for another word from his longtime colleague, rival and friend.

Heat back in familiar ground: up 2-1 in Finals

MIAMI | LeBron James arrived for practice Monday wearing lime-green sneakers, a highly fluorescent shade.

James accepts MVP, drains 32 on Pacers

MIAMI | LeBron James got his trophy, and then he and Dwyane Wade made sure the Miami Heat got a win in Game 1.

James, Wade, Anthony, Paul set to lead 4-game tour

LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony are going home -- and bringing friends with them.

Golden: Miami still deciding football eligibility

CORAL GABLES, Fla. | Miami's internal investigation has determined some football players, including quarterback Jacory Harris, are believed to have committed NCAA violations by associating with booster Nevin Shapiro and have been declared ineligible, said a person with knowledge of the process.

Really Big D: Mavericks top Heat for NBA title

MIAMI | For Dirk Nowitzki, the resume is complete. He's an NBA champion. For LeBron James, the agonizing wait continues for at least one more year.

Shaq moving on to the next chapter

WINDERMERE, Fla. | Shaquille O'Neal changed from his gray T-shirt and sweat pants into a three-piece suit, then walked by some of the souvenirs he accrued during his NBA days for the final time as an active player.

James scores 24, Heat take Game 1 over Dallas

MIAMI | Dwyane Wade's night began with a hug for his mom. It ended with an embrace from LeBron James.

Miami Vise: James turns up Heat in OT

Dwyane Wade was ailing, so LeBron James and Chris Bosh more than picked up the slack. Then Wade found his groove at the perfect time, and the Miami Heat, the team put together solely to win championships, moved one emotional victory away from the NBA finals.

Bulls' Noah says $50,000 fine for slur is 'fair'

MIAMI | Bulls center Joakim Noah said the NBA's decision to fine him $50,000 for directing an anti-gay slur toward a fan is "fair."

Bosh scores 34, Heat top Bulls 96-85 for 2-1 lead

MIAMI | For the second time in three games, Chris Bosh had a monster night against the Chicago Bulls. Unlike the first, this one paid off with a win. And the Miami Heat are two victories from their first trip to the NBA finals since 2006.

Chalmers back in a Final Four -- the NBA version

MIAMI | Mario Chalmers has been watching plenty of video, studying Derrick Rose's game in an effort to get ready for the Eastern Conference finals.

It'll be No. 1 Bulls vs. No. 2 Heat for East crown, trip to NBA finals

MIAMI | Dwyane Wade is going home this weekend. Derrick Rose will be waiting for him.

Heat only halfway home

MIAMI | He scored the game's final 10 points. He knelt on the court when it was over. He even apologized afterward for any feelings that may have been hurt last summer when he left Cleveland for Miami.

Dwyane Wade wins custody fight for sons

MIAMI | When the Miami Heat ended practice Sunday, Dwyane Wade went home to his sons.

Dwyane Wade back in Miami as free-agent wait continues

MIAMI | Dwyane Wade is back in South Florida, and hundreds of Miami Heat fans got early morning wake-up calls in an effort to keep him there for many years to come.

AP Source: Notre Dame-Miami rivalry to resume

CORAL GABLES, Fla. | A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Notre Dame and Miami are close to a deal for a three-game series, starting with a game at Soldier Field in 2012 and continuing with a home-and-home likely in 2014 and 2016.

Estranged wife of Dwyane Wade, children suing girlfriend in Chicago court

MIAMI | The estranged wife of Dwyane Wade has filed suit against his actress girlfriend Gabrielle Union, saying their relationship has caused the star Miami Heat guard's two sons emotional distress.

After 19 ties and much drama, FSU edges St. John's

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | If this was any other game, St. John's forward Da'Shena Stevens might not have even been on the floor.

Princeton takes 21-game streak to women's tourney

Atop the heap of NCAA women's basketball this season, there's Connecticut, Stanford ... and Princeton?

Heat pull away from reeling Bulls, 108-95

MIAMI | Jermaine O'Neal scored a season-high 25 points, Quentin Richardson added 23 and the Miami Heat added to Chicago's recent run of misery by beating the undermanned Bulls 108-95 on Friday night.

'Night Train' wins bobsled gold

WHISTLER, British Columbia | With one more perfect run down sliding's most treacherous track, Steven Holcomb drove USA-1 to the Olympic gold medal in four-man bobsledding Saturday, ending a 62-year drought for the Americans in the event.

Olympic luger from Georgia dies after crash

WHISTLER, British Columbia | It took only three seconds.

Legendary Florida State coach enjoying ride into the sunset

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. | Bobby Bowden wrapped himself Wednesday in a gold Florida State sweat shirt and garnet jacket, then pulled on his white cap adorned with the same logo and headed onto the Seminoles' practice field.

Jordan taps Wade to wear 25th anniversary shoe

MIAMI | Dwyane Wade pleaded for years to join the Jordan Brand family, wanting to wear the shoe his idol made famous.

Wade gets 10,000th point in Heat's win over Bulls

MIAMI | Dwyane Wade scored 25 points to push his career total to 10,005, reserve Udonis Haslem had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Miami Heat stayed unbeaten by downing the Bulls 95-87 on Sunday night.

Cubs bombarded with bombs in ninth

MIAMI | Cody Ross hit his second home run of the game in the ninth inning, giving the Florida Marlins a dramatic 3-2 win over the Cubs on Sunday.

What a Wade! 3-pointer at end lifts Heat over Bulls

MIAMI | Dwyane Wade decided two overtimes were enough, in emphatic fashion.

Dwyane Wade's buzzer-beating 3-pointer beats Bulls

MIAMI | Dwyane Wade decided two overtimes were enough, in emphatic fashion.

Sweet 16: Heat top last year, beat Bulls 90-77

MIAMI | Michael Beasley pulled a shirt over his head, which was the only way he could obstruct the postgame grin splashed across his face.

Heat have many options after Bulls make their pick

MIAMI | For the Miami Heat, what shapes up as a tough decision should really be rather easy.

Gordon's prophecy fulfilled by second-place finish in Chase

HOMESTEAD, Fla. | Jeff Gordon knew his fate a week ago. Sure enough, he wasn't wrong.

Dale Jr. sees his time at DEI come to a rough end in Ford 400

HOMESTEAD, Fla. | Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s final ride in his red No. 8 car was just like so many others this season.

Riley on Walker trade: 'It was not personal'

After watching the Miami Heat sputter offensively in the preseason, Pat Riley realized his team was in desperate need of perimeter help.

Mt. Carmel grad headed to Timberwolves

Antoine Walker's turbulent time with the Miami Heat is over.

Felix Trinidad set to return from retirement, eyes Roy Jones Jr

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. | Felix Trinidad doesn't speak English so well, yet made his position very clear.

Wade believes James is up to NBA finals challenge

MIAMI | A year ago, LeBron James was one of Dwyane Wade's biggest supporters during the NBA playoffs.

Golf phenom Dowd's mother dies

Kelly Jo Dowd, a cancer-stricken mother whose dream of seeing her teen daughter Dakoda play in an LPGA event was realized last spring, has died. She was 42.