Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Friday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EST:- The college basketball season begins Friday night, highlighted by four ranked teams in a Honolulu doubleheader: No. 10 Arizona vs. No. 12 Michigan State (7 p.m.) and No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 11 Indiana (9 p.m.).- College basketball teams set a high last season by taking 35 percent of their shots from beyond the 3-point line, a number that could rise this season.- With TV ratings down for the NFL this season, its been popular to point to a supposedly decreased quality of product. The AP talks to current and former players about what changes theyd like to see.- College football features only one game this weekend matching ranked teams -- No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 Oklahoma. But possible upsets abound.- TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In Friday nights lone Top 25 game, No. 20 Florida State plays at home on a Friday night for the first time since 1957. The Seminoles face Boston College and running back Dalvin Cook. Game starts 7:30 p.m.- COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The United States plays Mexico in a World Cup qualifier with political overtones days after the presidential election. This is an opener of the final round of qualifying from CONCACAF. Game starts 8 p.m.- The oldest rivalry in soccer resumes when England plays Scotland in a World Cup qualifier. Other notable matches on a busy night across Europe include France vs. Sweden and World Cup champion Germany vs. San Marino.- NEW YORK -- UFC 205 boasts Conor McGregor on a Madison Square Garden card Saturday night that brings one of the biggest mixed-martial arts events to New York.- AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Joe Gibbs Racing lays it all on the line this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, where three of its drivers are vying for two spots in the championship race.- OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Los Angeles Clippers, with an NBA-best 7-1 record, play Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. Oklahoma City is 6-2 and the only team to beat the Clippers this season. Game starts 8 p.m.- There was a time when the NBA Development League was viewed as an outpost to be avoided at all costs. The D-League opens its 16th season Friday and has grown dramatically.- CHICAGO -- Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals visit Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks for a marquee matchup. The Capitals and Blackhawks split two games last season. Game starts 8:30 p.m.- PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Chris Kirk leads by a stroke entering the second round of the OHL Classic. The former University of Georgia player has two top-10 finishes in three starts in the new PGA Tour season. Yeezy Boost 350 Italia . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. Nmd Scarpe Italia . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. http://www.yeezyscarpeitalia.it/yeezy-scarpe-ingrosso.html . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. Yeezy Boost Ingrosso . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Yeezy Scarpe Scontate . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line.One has 10 major honours to his name, celebrated his 100th cap for his country with a vital goal against world champions Germany in October and has started a Champions League final. The other captained a title winning team last season, was the Netherlands player of the year in the same campaign and is behind only Michael Owen and Alan Shearer on a list of Newcastles record signings.But it seems certain that they wont both be in the Premier League next season, at least not with their current clubs. The two North East giants are on a precipice. Both in the relegation zone after Norwichs win at West Brom; the Canaries remain in the mix themselves, Aston Villa are stranded and the rest look a long way off.In short, at least one of them will go down. This weekends Tyne-Wear derby could well decide which and, as a result, may be the most important of the 156 the two have contested in more than a century of rivalry.John OShea, of course, is the man who won 10 trophies - including five Premier Leagues with Manchester United - has started more than 100 times for the Republic of Ireland and began the 2009 Rome final against Barcelona.He may be fighting for his place in the Sunderland team at the moment, but its hard to see Sam Allardyce leaving him out this weekend. OShea is a proven winner, the stalwart of three Sunderland escapes and, most importantly, he has the most unbelievable stranglehold over Newcastle. Shay Given tells us what its like to prepare for and play in a Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland They have never beaten the Irishman. Ever. In total his record against them reads: played 20, won 15, drawn 5, lost 0. The only problem for me, as I arrived at Sunderlands Academy of Light training ground this week, was he didnt want to talk about it.He wasnt being difficult, it was more a modest, focused, professional way of not wanting to say something to motivate the enemy in derby week - but it didnt help the reporter!Id rather not even mention it, he explained, smiling. Why would I when I can go under the radar? Thats how I prefer it.I pressed him a little bit about the times, early in his career, when he was part of Manchester United teams that were so good they didnt just beat Newcastle, often they thrashed them.He was part of 5-3, 5-1, 6-0 and 6-2 wins in those early days. Its the 6-2, in a game famous for a magnificent Paul Scholes hat-trick, that gets him talking. Youve no divine right [to beat Newcastle]. You cant go thinking, Its Newcastle, well win because we won the last six. The attitude and commitment have got to be right. John OShea That was OSheas first visit to St James Park. He made a goal that day with a rampaging run down the left, going past two before smashing a shot against the bar that fell nicely for Ryan Giggs to score.Shay Given [in goal for Newcastle] always tells me he got a hand on the shot but Im not so sure, he says, again with a smile and with his guard dropping slightly. But look, its obviously a very, very proud record, especially for a Sunderland player. Fingers crossed I can keep hold of it.Beating Newcastle with Manchester United is one thing, doing it a record six times in a row with Sunderland is, in many ways, far more remarkable. The crucial question is, will the record effect the two sets of players this weekend? Will it count for anything?In a sense it will, but youve no divine right. You cant go thinking, Its Newcastle, well win because we won the last six. The attitude and commitment have got to be right, the Irishman added. An in-depth look at how Rafael Benitez is training his Newcastle side for their must-win Tyne-Wear derby this weekend This brings us on to Newcastle.dddddddddddd A couple of days after talking to OShea, I sat down with Georginio Wijnaldum - PSV Eindhovens title winning captain, player of the year and Newcastles third biggest signing behind Owen and Shearer.He was searingly honest about what he sees as the reasons for the teams poor form, and the need for Rafael Benitez to be parachuted in to save them after Steve McClarens sacking.I feel bad and I feel responsible, says Wijnaldum, addressing McClarens departure. In football, its not always fair. They fire the trainer because they cant fire us players.Undoubtedly a squad targeting a top eight finish, after Mike Ashley loosened the purse strings in the summer, has under-performed.Maybe its focus, maybe its mental, maybe its confidence - its difficult to explain. Sometimes we need to be harder on each other, when times are hard you have to speak more - especially the senior players. Jamie Redknapp previews two derbies on Super Sunday as Newcastle host Sunderland and Manchester City face United. I feel bad and I feel responsible. In football, its not always fair. They fire the trainer because they cant fire us players. Georginio Wijnaldum on McClaren sacking You work out who you can yell at and who you have to be easy with. We can do it more.Wijnaldum clearly liked working for McClaren but says it has lifted the squad to have a name like Rafael Benitez take charge. But the focus is on stopping Sunderland from extending their record run, easing their own relegation fears in the process.Everywhere I go, fans talk to me about Sunderland, says Wijnaldum.Theyve won the last six, for the fans and for us, we have to stop it.The Dutchman, who has scored nine goals, all of them at St James Park, in his first Premier League season, is relishing the prospect of his first Tyne-Wear derby on home turf. Hes looking forward to having the crowd on his side. John OShea is looking forward to having it against him. Sunderland have won their last six Tyne-Wear derbies, can they make it six on Super Sunday? This is what you become a professional for, the Black Cats captain said. To have the animosity and anger cranked up to 100% against you and to have to fight against that.Its a huge game. Ultimately its three points but with the situation were both in it looks like being a lot more than that. I cant wait.Catch the full interview with Georginio Wijnaldum and John OShea , ahead of live coverage of the Tyne-Wear derby, on Super Sunday, 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD. Also See: Rafa: Forget derby defeats Tyne-Wear derby preview ' ' '
