AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:01 p.m. EST

Crypto’s ties to sports raise ethical questions

Sports fans who view their favorite players as role models might think twice before taking their financial advice, too. The bankruptcy of FTX and the arrest of its CEO are raising new questions about the role celebrity athletes such as Tom Brady, Steph Curry, Naomi Osaka and others played in lending legitimacy to the largely unregulated landscape of crypto. It is also reframing the conversation about just how costly blind loyalty to favorite players or teams can be for the average fan. FTX itself had numerous ties to sports before its eventual collapse. Separately, dozens of athletes have endorsed crypto, and in doing so, have led some of their fans to follow suit.

Messi seeks glory, Argentina meets France in World Cup final

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — It’s now or never for Lionel Messi in the World Cup final between Argentina and France. The Argentina superstar’s once-in-a-generation career will be defined to many by whether he leads his country to the World Cup title on Sunday. The 35-year-old Messi is looking to win soccer’s biggest prize to secure his place alongside Pelé and Diego Maradona in the pantheon of the game’s greatest ever players. Standing in his way is defending champion France and Kylian Mbappé. The striker is the player best positioned to take over from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as soccer’s marquee name and is seeking to emulate Pelé by being a champion at his first two World Cups.

Croatia beats Morocco 2-1 to take 3rd place at World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Luka Modric led Croatia to third place in what was likely the midfield great’s last appearance at the World Cup. The runners-up from four years ago secured another medal by beating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place match. Mislav Orsic scored the decisive goal shortly before halftime at Khalifa International Stadium to ensure Modric finished on a winning note if this does turn out to be his last World Cup match. Josko Gvardiol put Croatia ahead in the seventh minute but Achraf Dari evened the score in the ninth. The World Cup final between defending champion France and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday at Lusail Stadium.

Timme leads No. 15 Gonzaga over No. 4 Alabama, 100-90

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Drew Timme matched his season-high with 29 points and No. 15 Gonzaga overcame Brandon Miller’s 36-point outburst to beat No. 4 Alabama 100-90 in the C.M. Newton Classic. Timme had 10 rebounds, four assists and made 12 of 18 shots to help the Bulldogs cool off one of the nation’s hottest teams. The Crimson Tide had won four straight and beat two No. 1 teams to earn their highest ranking in 15 years. Miller scored 26 points in the second half, including the team’s first 10. Gonzaga is 7-1 in regular-season games against teams ranked in the top five by either the AP or the coaches’ poll since 2018-19.

No. 8 Kansas romps to 84-62 victory over No. 14 Indiana

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Gradey Dick scored 20 points, Dajuan Harris Jr. added 10 points and 10 assists and eighth-ranked Kansas roared to an 84-62 victory over No. 14 Indiana. Kevin McCullar Jr. had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Jalen Wilson and KJ Adams also scored 11 apiece, as the Jayhawks beat their fellow college basketball blueblood for the seventh time in their last nine meetings. Trayce Jackson-Davis had 13 points and nine blocks to lead the Hoosiers, who played most of the way without second-leading scorer Xavier Johnson. He hurt his right ankle about 10 minutes into the game.

Pitino vs Pitino: Dad-son matchup highlights Lobos-Iona game

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — University of New Mexico coach Richard Pitino says the upcoming matchup against Iona is business as usual for the unbeaten Lobos. But he acknowledges the game is getting added exposure because it pits him against his father, Rick. The Pitinos will be on opposing benches for just the third time on Sunday. Richard Pitino is 0-2 against his father and both losses came against Louisville. New Mexico comes into the game on a 10-game winning streak. The elder Pitino enters his third season with the Gaels, who are 7-2.

Deion Sanders aims for perfect finish with Jackson State

ATLANTA (AP) — It goes without saying that Deion Sanders is eager to win his last game with Jackson State. The Tigers (12-0) aim to beat North Carolina Central (9-2) in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday and cap an unbeaten season. Sanders will then turn his focus to Colorado, the next stop on his coaching journey, where he will hit the recruiting trail as soon as time allows. But at least for the next 24 hours, Sanders’ focus is solely on Jackson State, a program that coach “Prime,” as he likes to be called, built into a powerhouse among historically Black colleges and universities. The Tigers went 27-5 under his watch and Sanders was twice named the Southwest Athletic Conference coach of the year.

Goggia stuns with downhill win despite broken fingers

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Italian skier Sofia Goggia has dominated the fourth women’s World Cup downhill of the season despite undergoing surgery on two broken fingers the day before. Goggia beat runner-up Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia by 0.43 seconds. Goggia had her left hand bandaged and the glove attached to her ski pole with duct tape but seemed not visibly hampered by the injury. Goggia charged down the 2.5-kilometer course in her usual gutsy style. Kira Weidle of Germany finished third. Mikaela Shiffrin was fourth and the American leads the overall standings 50 points clear of Goggia.

EXPLAINER: Why are Argentines such ardent World Cup fans?

Argentina arguably has the World Cup’s most fervent fans. They are known for their rhythmical singing, incessant drumming and trance-like ferocity. The country’s history of success at the World Cup is rivaled by few. Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 and lost in the final three times. This fervor will only grow as Lionel Messi leads Argentina against defending champion France in Sunday’s final in Qatar. Argentines take pride in the intensity and they are proud to be known for it around the world. Argentines care deeply about soccer and they are among the best in the world at it.

Louisville beats Cincy 24-7 for Keg of Nails and Fenway Bowl

BOSTON (AP) — Jawhar Jordan ran for 115 yards and Louisville beat Cincinnati 24-7 in the twice-delayed first edition of the Fenway Bowl at the chilly home of the Boston Red Sox. Jordan broke free for two long touchdowns and Maurice Turner ran 31 times for 160 yards for the Cardinals. Jordan scored from 49 yards out at the end of the first quarter and 40 at the end of the second to help clinch the Keg of Nails for Louisville over its Ohio River rival. Brock Domann hit Marshon Ford for another score. It was 40 degrees and both teams struggled to pass — or even hold onto the ball.