Sports
UT basketball eyes a deeper NCAA run
UT men's basketball players celebrate a victory with their coach as he's interviewed following their second round victory last weekend. Photo: Jamie Sabau/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
After years of underwhelming post-season play, the Longhorns men's basketball team is poised to do something really special in this March Madness tournament.
Driving the news: Friday's matchup against Xavier marks Texas' first Sweet 16 game since 2008.
What to know about Austin's final Dell Match Play
Dell Match Play reigning champ Scottie Scheffler plays a hole at Austin Country Club last year. Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Austin Country Club's final Dell Match Play — and the last PGA match play for at least a couple years — kicked off Wednesday, bringing the game's top golfers and thousands of visitors to town for the four-day tournament.
Driving the news: PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed earlier this month that this year's World Golf Championship Dell Technologies Match Play would be the final one at Austin Country Club, although he didn't rule out a match-play event at another location in the future.
Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk wins inaugural ATX tennis tourney
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk takes a swing at the ball in Sunday's ATX Open. Photo courtesy Alex Smith/ATX Open
Marta Kostyuk, a 20-year-old Ukrainian, defeated 22-year-old Russian Varvara Gracheva to win the inaugural ATX Open on Sunday.
- With the Westwood Country Club crowd in her corner in the final of the WTA event, Kostyuk won 6-3, 7-5 — and a champion's check for $34,228.
What they're saying: "Being in the position that I am in right now, it's extremely special to win this title and I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to everyone who is fighting and dying right now," Marta Kostyuk said during her trophy acceptance speech. "Obviously, it's a very special moment."
New pro softball team announced for Austin
Janae Jefferson, then playing with the Texas Longhorns, takes a swing during the national softball championships last June in Oklahoma City. Photo: Isaiah Vazquez/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
A former major league baseball player and a professional wrestler are teaming up to bring a pro softball franchise to Austin.
Driving the news: The Texas Smoke will be the fourth franchise in Women's Professional Fastpitch.
Austin FC worth over $680M
Austin FC will open 2023 as one of the highest-valued MLS teams in the country, per Forbes' latest valuation figures.
By the numbers: The team was valued around $680 million through the 2022 season.
Austin FC kicks off third season
Fans cheer on Austin FC in 2022. Photo: Sasha Haagensen/Getty Images for Heineken
Just three months after Austin FC played in the Western Conference Finals — making it to the Final Four of Major League Soccer — the team will kick off its third season on Saturday at Q2 Stadium.
Driving the news: The Verde and Black play expansion team St. Louis City FC at 7:30pm.
Where to eat and drink before an Austin FC game
Tacos from food truck Con Todo, located at Celis Brewery near Q2 Stadium. Photo: Bob Gee/Axios
Q2 Stadium is within walking distance of five breweries, each with food trucks offering tacos (and a few other things).
Why it matters: It's less fun watching soccer on an empty stomach.
Basketball of future built near Austin
K.J. Martin of the Houston Rockets handles a prototype basketball at the 2023 NBA All Star AT&T Slam Dunk Contest on February 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
A prototype basketball that could revolutionize the sport and featured in last weekend's NBA All-Star dunk contest was built in Pflugerville.
Driving the news: The 3D Airless Prototype Basketball, designed by Wilson Sporting Goods Co., was made just north of Austin, at the lab of 3D printing company EOS.
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