Welcome, Madness
The bright lights go on in Minneapolis in April, but March comes first. Dates to know:
Friday: Gophers’ final regular-season game, at Maryland
March 13: Big Ten tournament starts in Chicago
March 17: Selection Sunday
March 19: NCAA tourney begins with the First Four games
March 30-31: Regional finals, where four teams punch tickets to Minneapolis
April 6: Final Four semifinals, U.S. Bank Stadium
April 8: Championship Monday, U.S. Bank Stadium
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Golf

Detectives look at SUV's 'black box' from Tiger Woods crash
Detectives are looking at data from the so-called "black box" of Tiger Woods' SUV to get a clearer picture of what occurred during the Southern California rollover crash last week that seriously injured the golf star, authorities said Wednesday.
Colleges

MIAC football coming soon, along with full slate of spring sports
The conference announced plans for its teams to play up to four football games, beginning Friday, and to have a full spring sports schedule.
Sports

Lawmakers around nation can't cite local examples of trans girls in sports
Legislators in more than 20 states have introduced bills this year that would ban transgender girls from competing on girls' sports teams in public high schools. Yet in almost every case, sponsors cannot cite a single instance in their own state or region where such participation has caused problems.
Sports
Aston Martin launches new car in return to F1 after 61 years
The Aston Martin team presented its new Formula One car on Wednesday, revealing a slick livery of British racing green as it returns to the series for the first time since 1960.
Sports
Nationals say lefty Jon Lester to have thyroid gland removed
Washington Nationals left-hander Jon Lester is leaving spring training camp to have surgery for the removal of his thyroid gland, manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday.