Grizzlies take 2-1 lead beating Thunder 87-81

MEMPHIS, Tenn. | Marc Gasol scored 20 points and hit two free throws with 1:03 left to put Memphis ahead to stay, and the Grizzlies held off the Oklahoma City Thunder 87-81 Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in this Western Conference semifinal.

Zac Stacy credits Vandy's success for NFL chance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Vanderbilt has sent plenty of players to the NFL from the Southeastern Conference's smallest and only private university. The Commodores have produced defensive backs, linebackers, offensive lineman and even some first-round selections such as quarterback Jay Cutler.

Many coaches can't handle the pressure to win

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings says he has an effective way to get his players' attention when he's frustrated without doing something stupid, like putting his hands on them.

Blackhawks blank Predators

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Blackhawks have plenty of offense.

Louisville eliminates Purdue women in second round

LOUISVILLE, Ky. | Purdue matched the Louisville women on the Cardinals' home floor for 34 minutes. The final 5:33 of the first half proved to be too much.

Louisville-Purdue pits Cards' coach, ex -recruit

LOUISVILLE, Ky. | Louisville coach Jeff Walz has liked Purdue forward Drey Mingo's game since he recruited her back in high school. Now he hopes she misses every shot against his Cardinals.

Vandy trying to finish off best season since 1915

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Vanderbilt Commodores have made plenty of history this season, and now they can do something not seen at this private university in nearly a century: Win nine games.

Bears force 5 turnovers, rout Titans 51-20

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Lovie Smith demanded a fast start from his Bears after a sluggish performance a week ago.

Cutler, streaking Bears visit desperate Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Jay Cutler wanted to stick around Music City after leaving Vanderbilt for the NFL, and he worked out for the hometown Tennessee Titans a few times even while suspecting owner Bud Adams wanted to draft Vince Young all along.

Luck's TD pass in OT leads Indy over Titans 19-13

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Andrew Luck needed a little longer than usual to pull out a win for the Indianapolis Colts.

Titans get their 1st chance at Colts, Andrew Luck

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Rookie Andrew Luck has heard plenty of stories from veterans about the rivalry between the Colts and the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South.

AP Source: Big East moving toward adding Memphis

Memphis is the latest school to sign up for a spot in the new Big East.

Winless Colts, skidding Titans eager to play again

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Colts are coming off a blowout loss and looking for the relief their first win of the season will bring. The Tennessee Titans are ticked off, upset and just plain embarrassed by a two-game skid that includes their most lopsided defeat since moving into their stadium in 1999.

Mathis' 65 gives him first-round lead in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. | David Mathis is leading a PGA Tour event for the first time, and pressure is not one of his concerns.

Grizzlies push Thunder back to OKC for Game 7

MEMPHIS, Tenn. | Just keep counting Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies out. They revel in that underdog status.

Canucks grab 3-1 series lead over Predators

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Ryan Kesler broke a tie with a power-play goal at 7:28 of the third period, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Thursday night to take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

Quenneville returns for Blackhawks win over Predators

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Joel Quenneville talked softly with his voice raspy in his return behind the bench for the Chicago Blackhawks. The coach is feeling fine, it's just the price of missing a few games and coming back for a game in a soldout building.

Future of NFL's longest tenured coach in question

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Jeff Fisher's decision to stay in football after his playing days ended kept him from a future in sales. The same skills he would have used in that career have put him among the NFL's best coaches.

Manning throws for 319, Colts beat Titans 30-28

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | So much for the worst slump of Peyton Manning's career. Manning threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and the Indianapolis Colts snapped their three-game skid by beating the Tennessee Titans 30-28 on Thursday night.

Manning, Colts try to snap skid vs woeful Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Trying to snap out of the funk he's been in for three games, Peyton Manning is heading to a town to play a team that could help him do just that.

Blackhawks advance

Jonathan Toews scored a power-play goal to cap a wild first period, and the Blackhawks held on for a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators and advanced to the Western Conference semifinal ...

Chicago shuts out Nashville, heads home with series tied 2-2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Patrick Sharp scored his first two goals of the postseason, and the Chicago Blackhawks finally found their offensive form Thursday night in beating the Nashville Predators 3-0 to tie their opening series at 2-2.

Hawks desperate with Predators holding 2-1 lead

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Nashville Predators are living in the moment, trying not to get too excited over their first 2-1 opening-series lead.

Blackhawks lose to Predators, trail 2-1 in series

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | David Legwand scored the go-ahead goal and had two assists, and the Nashville Predators beat the Blackhawks 4-1 on Tuesday night for the franchise's first 2-1 lead ever in an opening-round series.

Colts remain perfect, down winless Titans 31-9

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Trying to matching field goals against Peyton Manning's touchdown passes never works. Now the Indianapolis Colts' perfect start continues.

Manning, Colts primed to take back AFC South

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Talk about a complete reversal.

Purdue women upset North Carolina in NCAAs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. | Purdue finally figured out how to beat North Carolina when it matters most.

Summitt reaches new heights: 1,000 wins

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. | In this season of lowered expectations for Tennessee, Pat Summitt still reached unprecedented heights: 1,000 victories.

Titans top Colts to remain unbeaten

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Tennessee Titans keep winning, and not even Peyton Manning could stop the NFL's only undefeated team.

Titans beat Colts to remain unbeaten

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Tennessee Titans keep winning, and not even Peyton Manning could stop the NFL's only undefeated team.

Titans' playoff hopes simple: beat Colts at home, clinch berth

PRO FOOTBALL

No. 2 Memphis, No. 5 Georgetown set for showdown

Memphis guard Antonio Anderson got an indication of how big the Tigers' next game is when he stopped at a gas station to fill up his tank.

Defense avenges December breakdown

NFL | COLTS

Titans' Young finding plenty of targets, including Roby

PRO FOOTBALL

Kanaan's day ended by early crash

GLADEVILLE, Tenn. | Tony Kanaan never got a chance to reach pit road after the checkered flag Sunday.

2011 Super Bowl goes to Cowboys' new stadium

PRO FOOTBALL | NFL OWNERS MEETINGS

Indy loses bid for 2011 Super Bowl to Texas

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The 2011 Super Bowl will be played at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, Texas. Indianapolis and Arizona also bid for the game.

Paperwork delaying decision on 'Pacman' appeal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | A decision on Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones' appeal for leniency from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be delayed while lawyers complete paperwork.

Titans' draft goals: find receiver, fill hole left with Jones out

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Tennessee Titans believe they found a franchise quarterback in the NFL draft in 2006. Now it's time to find someone to play catch with Vince Young.

The clock runs out on Jerry West with the Grizzlies

Jerry West left retirement and the comforts of California to see if he could transform the woeful Memphis Grizzlies. Five years later, the Lakers great decided to stop trying.

Jones says he will appeal season-long suspension

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones said Friday night he will appeal his season-long suspension and thinks NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made him the league's poster boy for disciplining players.

Ambrose living a NASCAR fan's dream

GLADEVILLE, Tenn. | Marcos Ambrose could have stayed in Australia, racing cars and earning nice paychecks. Maybe buy a boat, a farm and settle down with his new wife.

Blackhawks prevail in shootout

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Jeffrey Hamilton flipped the puck over a sprawling Chris Mason, and the Blackhawks beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 in a shootout Tuesday night for their third straight victory.

Schedule forces driver change in promotion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Kevin Harvick will be driving his own truck Saturday at Martinsville. The man who had won the chance to drive one of Harvick's trucks has been replaced by a younger driver.

Titans may conclude Pacman not worth the PR cost

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones' may have finally worn out his welcome with the Tennessee Titans.

Gone in 60 yards

PRO FOOTBALL | COLTS

Young, Jones offer sneak peek at future

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | New York cornerback Frank Walker helped slam Vince Young to the ground, swinging his right elbow at the quarterback's head. Everyone watching flinched and went, "Oooh!"