Gamecocks make case for No. 1 seed

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said her team deserves to be the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Women’s Tournament following a dominant run through the Southeastern Conference Tournament, culminating in an impressive 64-45 rout of No. 1 Texas in Sunday’s championship game. The Gamecocks (30-3) entered the SEC Tournament ranked fifth in the country and projected to be a No. 2 seed. But after throttling three league foes by 18, 21 and 19 points, a No. 1 seed now seems to be a lock. However, Staley thinks her team has earned more. “When you win this tournament and play the schedule that we play, I do think we’re the No. 1 overall seed,” Staley, above, said. “... There isn’t anybody in the country that has played the schedule that we have, that had share of the regular-season title, won this tournament and beat the No. 1 team in the country.” The Gamecocks’ resume includes 12 wins against Top 25 teams, including two against Texas. South Carolina boasts a 7-3 record against Top 10 teams, with their three losses against No. 1 Texas, No. 3 Connecticut and No. 4 UCLA.

Browns keep Garrett on record deal

Myles Garrett is staying in Cleveland after the Browns gave him a record four-year contract extension that makes the four-time All-Pro edge rusher the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Garrett’s deal includes $122.8 million guaranteed, an average annual salary of $40 million with a total value of $204.8 million. The Browns announced the extension, which runs through the 2030 season, on Sunday but didn’t disclose financial terms. The deal also includes a no-trade clause. Garrett, the 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year, had asked for a trade last month but the Browns were adamant about keeping the 29-year-old star. Garrett’s contract raises the bar for other non-QBs, including Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons.The Bengals already has stated plans to make Chase the highest-paid non-QB in the league. Garrett, a first-round pick in 2017, had 14 sacks and 22 tackles for loss last season. He has 102 1/2 sacks in his eight seasons with the Browns, but has only played in three playoff games with the team.

Bowling Green tabs George as coach

Bowling Green hired former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL running back Eddie George on Sunday as its head coach. George was a four-time NFL Pro Bowl running back and an All-Pro, and was the 1996 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after winning the 1995 Heisman at Ohio State. He was the head coach the last four years at Tennessee State, where he was named the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year last season. George led the Tigers to a share of the league championship and a berth in the Football Championship Series playoffs. He also was a runner-up for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award. He’s the 21st head coach in Falcons’ history and replaces Scot Loeffler, who left Bowling Green after six seasons to become the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach. In his NFL playing career, George played eight seasons for the Oilers/Titans and one for the Cowboys. He ran for 10,441 yards and scored 78 total touchdowns in his career. The Titans retired his jersey — he’s the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. —News services