BC-AP Sports Digest,1st Ld-Writethru

The supervisor is Mike Fitzpatrick. The supervisor can be reached at 800 845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports Photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636; agate, ext. 1635. AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, also can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. Reruns are available from the Service Desk (800 838-4616) or your local AP bureau. All times EST.

TOP STORIES:

CYC--DOPING-ARMSTRONG

LOS ANGELES - Lance Armstrong is used to winning, but his most recent victory was unlike any he had experienced before. Federal prosecutors dropped their investigation of the seven-time Tour de France champion Friday, ending a nearly two-year effort to determine whether the world's most famous cyclist and his teammates joined in a doping program during his greatest years. By Greg Risling. Sent.

AP Photos. AP Video.

FBN--SUPER BOWL-ACCIDENTAL KICKERS

INDIANAPOLIS - Call them accidental Superheroes in the making. Or, if they miss, Super-something-elses. Both Super Bowl kickers have taken uncommon paths to the title game, essentially stumbling into a job that often decides titles and legacies for better or worse. New York's Lawrence Tynes and New England's Stephen Gostkowski know one of them could be the first player celebrating - or bending over in angst - in the final seconds Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. By Joe Kay. Sent.

AP Photos.

FBN--SUPER BOWL-TV

NEW YORK - The biggest of stars is off to a slow start this season. "American Idol,'' that reliable ratings juggernaut, had a drop in viewership of more than 15 percent for its first two episodes back, underscoring how rough it is to attract and keep a devoted following when there are so many entertainment options. Not so for the NFL. Last month, its conference championship games were the most watched in 30 years, and it soars into Sunday's Super Bowl defying the ratings drag that plague much of TV. By Rachel Cohen. Sent.

AP Photo.

VIDEO:

- A pair of Super Bowl winning quarterbacks will square off Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI. Tom Brady and the Patriots look to avenge their loss four years ago to Eli Manning and the Giants.

- Federal prosecutors dropped their investigation of Lance Armstrong, ending a nearly two-year effort aimed at determining whether the seven-time Tour de France winner and his teammates participated in a doping program.

- At his annual state of the NFL press conference, Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized that player health and safety remains the top priority for the league.

- Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Giants head coach Tom Coughlin met the media for the final time before the Super Bowl. Belichick says All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski's ankle continues to improve.

- As the Super Bowl approaches, fans of the Giants and Patriots are pouring into Indianapolis.

- Texas Rangers outfielder and recovering drug addict Josh Hamilton said he had a relapse that started with "three or four'' drinks at a Dallas-area bar this week.

SUPER BOWL:

FBN--SUPER BOWL-GIANTS-REESE

INDIANAPOLIS - Being an NFL general manager is like being a kicker: What have you done for me lately? Take Jerry Reese of the New York Giants. The general manager was on the hot seat the past two years when the Giants missed the playoffs after a couple of late-season collapses. Now, after a rollercoaster season, they're in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. By Tom Canavan. Sent.

AP Photos.

FBN--SUPER BOWL-PATRIOTS-WILFORK

INDIANAPOLIS - Give Vince Wilfork a basketball and he can stuff it. Send him to the weight room and he'll lift the heaviest dumbbells. Put him in the Super Bowl and he'll try to overpower blockers on his way to the NFL championship. The 325-pound tackle for the New England Patriots is the passionate leader of their defense - and a very good athlete for his size. By Howard Ulman. Sent.

AP Photos.

With:

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl Notebook. AP Photos. Sent.

SENT FOR AMs

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl Preview. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. AP Photos. AP Video.

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl-Goodell. By Pro Football Writer Howard Fendrich. AP Photos. AP Video.

- INDIANAPOLIS - BC-FBN--Super Bowl-The Quarterbacks. By Jim Litke. AP Photos.

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl-Giants-Coughlin. By Tom Canavan. AP Photos. AP Video.

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl-Patriots-Belichick. By Howard Ulman. AP Photos. AP Video.

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl-Seat Problems. By Nancy Armour. AP Photos.

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl-Social Media. By Carrie Schedler. AP Photos.

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl Ads-A Year Later. By Business Writer Mae Anderson. AP Photos.

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl-Culture Clash. By Jim Suhr. AP Photos.

- INDIANAPOLIS - FBN--Super Bowl-BU-Brain Trauma. By National Writer Nancy Armour. AP Photos.

THE NFL:

FBN--COLTS-MANNING

INDIANAPOLIS - Colts owner Jim Irsay is trying to put a happy face on an ugly public spectacle. After Peyton Manning stole the big stage from his little brother, Eli, all week, Irsay tried to resolve the second public spat in two weeks with his star quarterback. The latest controversy is over Manning's health and whether he's actually been cleared to start taking hits again. By Michael Marot. Sent.

AP Photos. AP Video.

FBN--HALL OF FAME

INDIANAPOLIS - Chris Doleman is not one of the four Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists who won a Super Bowl. He doesn't believe that should affect his chances of being elected to the shrine. Charles Haley, Bill Parcells, Jerome Bettis and Ed DeBartolo Jr. are also among 17 finalists who will learn Saturday if they are voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. Sent.

AP Photos.

Also:

- CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - FBN--Mularkey's Son-Drug Charge. Sent.

- ALAMEDA, Calif. - FBN--Raiders-Hoffman. Sent.

- PHILADELPHIA - US--NFL Player Concussions-Lawsuits. Sent.

NEW/DEVELOPING:

BKC--UCONN-CALHOUN

STORRS, Conn. - UConn's Jim Calhoun doesn't mince words when it comes to his health. So, when the Hall of Fame coach of the defending national champions, who turns 70 in May, had just about had it with his back problems, he let people know. Calhoun is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence, as he has been suffering for several months from spinal stenosis, a spinal condition that causes him severe pain and hampers mobility. By Jim O'Connell and Pat Eaton-Robb. Sent.

AP Photos.

BBA--RANGERS-HAMILTON

ARLINGTON, Texas - Josh Hamilton shed no tears and used no prepared statement as he apologized and shared few details about his relapse with alcohol. Still, it was clear he was upset by what he had done. The Texas Rangers slugger and recovering drug addict said he had "three or four'' drinks during dinner at a Dallas restaurant and bar Monday and continued drinking later that night. By Stephen Hawkins. Sent.

AP Photos. AP Video.

CYC--JOHN LEICESTER-020312

Lance Armstrong licked `em again. Always has. Always will. Like cancer and the Tour de France, the federal government turned out to be just another challenge to conquer. On his trophy wall, next to those bright yellow jerseys he got for winning the world's toughest bike race seven times, Armstrong can now hang the scalp of steroid cop Jeff Novitzky. By Sports Columnist John Leicester. Sent.

AP Photos.

GOLF:

GLF--PHOENIX OPEN

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Spencer Levin took the Phoenix Open lead with a hard-charging approach. He figures that's the best way to stay there, too. Levin holed out from a greenside bunker for eagle on the par-4 17th and had six birdies for an 8-under 63 and a three-stroke lead in the suspended second round. By John Nicholson.

AP Photos.

FEATURE:

BKN--ALDRIDGE MATURES

PORTLAND, Ore. - Let there be no doubt: LaMarcus Aldridge wants to be an All-Star. He feels he's played well enough to deserve it. In the same breath, the Trail Blazers forward ultimately wants his success to coincide with the team's. Aldridge's internal conflict - balancing bravado and humility - provides insight into how he's matured since he arrived in Portland nearly six years ago. He's gone from the soft-spoken rookie from Texas playing in Brandon Roy's shadow, to a confident - and consistent - leader for the Blazers. By Anne M. Peterson.

With:

- PORTLAND, Ore. - BKN--Trail Blazers-Oden. By Anne M. Peterson. AP Photos. Sent.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

BKC--MARYLAND'S MISSION

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland coach Mark Turgeon performed a pretty good impression of his predecessor, Gary Williams, by getting ejected from his last game. He plans to go the distance Saturday when the Terrapins face No. 5 North Carolina. By David Ginsburg.

AP Photos.

Also:

- FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - BKC--Arkansas-Road Woes. By Kurt Voigt. AP Photos.

- TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - BKC--Alabama's Season. By John Zenor. AP Photo.

COLLEGE HOCKEY:

HKC--BEANPOT-PREVIEW

BOSTON - It's almost time to decide who is the "Best of Boston'' in college hockey. The Beanpot celebrates its 60th year when the annual tournament opens Monday night. Northeastern, Boston University, Boston College and Harvard will all once again be skating for the coveted trophy. Harvard plays Boston University, followed by Boston College against Northeastern. The winners advance to the championship game a week later.

SENT PREVIOUSLY

- COLUMBUS, Ohio - FBC--Ohio St-Defending Meyer. By Rusty Miller.

- PARK CITY, Utah - FRE--Freestyle World Cup. By Lynn DeBruin. AP Photos.

- BOSTON - ATH--Boston Indoors. By Jimmy Golen.

- DALLAS - BKN--Mavericks Fines.

- NEW ORLEANS - BKN--Hornets-Kaman. By Brett Martel. AP Photos.

- ORLANDO, Fla. - BKN--Magic-Davis. By Kyle Hightower.

- BERKELEY, Calif. - BKC--Arizona-Cal-Confrontation.

- NEW HAVEN, Conn. - US--Yale Quarterback.

- COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - FIG--Four Continents-Abbott.

- SAN FRANCISCO - BBN--Giants-Lincecum. By Antonio Gonzalez. AP Photos.

- SECAUCUS, N.J. - BBN--Marlins-Reyes Haircut. AP Photos.

- WILMINGTON, Del. - BBN--Dodgers-Stow.

- LOS ANGELES - BBN--Dodgers-Coffey.

- EDMONTON, Alberta - HKN--Oilers-Gagner. AP Photo.

- DES MOINES, Iowa - FBC--Iowa-O'Keefe. By Luke Meredith.

- VINA DEL MAR, Chile - TEN--Vina Del Mar.

Saturday's Time Schedule (EST)

TOP 25 BASKETBALL

Men

No. 1 Kentucky at South Carolina, 6 p.m.

No. 2 Syracuse vs. St. John's at Madison Square Garden, Noon

No. 3 Ohio State at No. 19 Wisconsin, 2 p.m.

No. 4 Missouri vs. No. 8 Kansas, 9 p.m.

No. 5 North Carolina at Maryland, 4 p.m.

No. 6 Baylor at Oklahoma State, 1:30 p.m.

No. 10 Murray State at UT-Martin, 7 p.m.

No. 11 UNLV at Wyoming, 4 p.m.

No. 12 Florida vs. No. 25 Vanderbilt, 1 p.m.

No. 13 Creighton at Northern Iowa, 5 p.m.

No. 14 Georgetown vs. South Florida, 11 a.m.

No. 15 Marquette at Notre Dame, 1 p.m.

No. 16 Virginia at No. 21 Florida State, 1 p.m.

No. 17 San Diego State vs. TCU, 10 p.m.

No. 20 Indiana at Purdue, 7 p.m.

No. 22 Mississippi State vs. Auburn, 4 p.m.

No. 24 Gonzaga at Pepperdine, 10 p.m.

Women

No. 1 Baylor at Kansas State, 8 p.m.

No. 3 UConn vs. No. 13 Rutgers, 7 p.m.

No. 4 Stanford at Arizona, 4 p.m.

No. 10 Green Bay vs. Milwaukee, 8 p.m.

No. 14 Louisville at West Virginia, 4 p.m.

No. 17 Georgetown at Cincinnati, 2 p.m.

No. 18 Texas A&M vs. Kansas, 8 p.m.

No. 20 Gonzaga vs. San Diego, 5 p.m.

No. 22 BYU vs. Saint Mary's (Cal), 4 p.m.

NBA

Orlando at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Washington, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m.

New Jersey at New York, 7:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Houston at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Chicago at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.

Oklahoma City at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Utah, 9 p.m.

Denver at Portland, 10 p.m.

Golden State at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

NHL

Pittsburgh at Boston, 1 p.m.

New Jersey at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Washington at Montreal, 2 p.m.

Vancouver at Colorado, 3 p.m.

Toronto at Ottawa, 7 p.m.

Los Angeles at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Florida at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

San Jose at Phoenix, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Dallas, 8 p.m.

St. Louis at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Detroit at Edmonton, 10 p.m.