Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EDT on Tuesday, April 8

April 8 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Tuesday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - MARCH MADNESS, PART TWO Perfect finish: Unbeaten Notre Dame, UConn in title fight NASHVILLE - Notre Dame and Connecticut put their perfect records on the line in the women's college basketball national championship game. (BKC-NOTREDAME-CONNECTICUT-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0030 GMT/8:30 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Chris Lee, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - - - GOLF Masters contenders Rose, Mickelson, McIlroy and Scott prepare for year's first major AUGUSTA, Ga. - We continue our build-up to this week's Masters at Augusta National, the first of the year's four majors where Australian world No. 2 Adam Scott will defend his title. U.S. Open champion Justin Rose, three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson, former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and Scott are holding news conferences. (GOLF-MASTERS/ (PIX, TV), expect stories throughout the afternoon, by Mark Lamport-Stokes, Tony Jimenez, Julian Linden and Larry Fine) - - Scott to launch Masters defense with Dufner and Fitzpatrick AUGUSTA, Ga. - Defending champion Adam Scott will launch his title defense at this week's Masters in the company of PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner and U.S. amateur champion Matthew Fitzpatrick. (GOLF-MASTERS/DRAW, moved, by Mark Lamport-Stokes, 300 words) See also: Groupings for first two rounds of the Masters (GOLF-MASTERS/GROUPINGS) - - Scott: Masters win still feels like a dream AUGUSTA, Ga. - Adam Scott has to pinch himself every time he watches replays of his 2013 Masters win and the Australian says he still finds it hard to believe he fulfilled a lifelong dream by landing the coveted Green Jacket. (GOLF-MASTERS/SCOTT (INTERVIEW, PIX), moved, by Tony Jimenez, 700 words) - - Stenson plays down chances of a Masters victory AUGUSTA, Ga. - Had this week's Masters been staged last November, Henrik Stenson would have been an overwhelming favorite to win his first major title after producing a barn-storming finish to his 2013 campaign. (GOLF-MASTERS/STENSON (PIX), moved, by Mark Lamport-Stokes, 575 words) - - Matsuyama to make first Masters appearance as a pro AUGUSTA, Ga. - Patience is starting to pay off for Hideki Matsuyama, the lone Japanese entrant in this week's Masters. While Matsuyama has largely been overshadowed by compatriot Ryo Ishikawa, he is now emerging as Asia's best shot at winning an elusive green jacket. (GOLF-MASTERS/MATSUYAMA (PIX), moved, by Julian Linden, 550 words) - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Manziel goes from Oakland to Jacksonville Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel reportedly impresses in his two-day visit with the Oakland Raiders and is one of a handful of passers scheduled to be in Jacksonville this week. (FBN-NEWS/, expect by 1900 GMT/3 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - Petition started to keep Vick from training camp Change.org is collecting signatures to send to SUNY Cortland president hoping to keep New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick from attending training camp with his new employer. (FBN-JETS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 200 words) - - - - COLLEGE FOOTBALL Report: Notre Dame exploring series with Georgia Notre Dame and Georgia are reportedly in talks to play a home-and-home football series between the schools for 2018 and 2019. (FBC-NOTREDAME-GEORGIA-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 225 words) - - - - ENTERTAINMENT 'Draft Day' film tackles the NFL with insider minutiae, family drama LOS ANGELES - As the NFL readies for its annual draft of college football players, new film "Draft Day" pulls back the curtain on the high stakes of the offseason that has helped turn the United States' most popular sport into a year-round addiction. (FILM-DRAFTDAY/ (PIX, TV), moved, by Eric Kelsey, 750 words) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION *The Sports Xchange covers all NBA games. Key matchups highlighted below. - - Nets at Heat MIAMI - Brooklyn is the only NBA team not to lose to the Miami Heat this season. The Nets go for the season sweep for the first time in 11 seasons. (BKN-HEAT-NETS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0000 GMT/8 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Walter Villa, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Thunder at Kings SACRAMENTO - Oklahoma City goes for 10 straight wins over the Sacramento Kings while the Thunder try to dodge a four-game road losing streak. (BKN-KINGS-THUNDER-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0200 GMT/10 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - NBA Wrap: Hawks host Pistons with eye on playoffs The Atlanta Hawks will try to inch closer to securing the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference when they host the Detroit Pistons in one of six games on the NBA hardwood. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 650 words) - - The full NBA schedule: Detroit at Atlanta, 7:30 PM ET Brooklyn at Miami, 8 PM ET San Antonio at Minnesota, 8 PM ET Dallas at Utah, 9 PM ET Oklahoma City at Sacramento, 10 PM ET Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 PM ET - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL *The Sports Xchange covers all MLB games. Key matchups highlighted below. All times Eastern. - - Rays LHP Moore to have elbow examined KANSAS CITY, Mo. - LHP Matt Moore, who exited Monday's game in the fifth inning due to a sore left elbow, is headed for an MRI exam today. (BBO-RAYS-NEWS/, moved; will be led, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - Rockies beef up bullpen DENVER - Lefty Boone Logan's return from the disabled list prompts the Rockies to alter the makeup of their roster. The team adds an eighth reliever, but that alignment could change again this weekend. (BBO-ROCKIES-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 300 words) - - Outfield injuries hamstring Twins MINNEAPOLIS - Outfield injuries are hamstringing the Minnesota Twins, who place one OF/INF Jason Bartlett on the disabled list while two other outfielders remain sidelined. (BBO-TWINS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Dan Myers, 350 words) - - Jeter reflects on illustrious career NEW YORK - Derek Jeter reflects on his storied career with the New York Yankees. (BBO-YANKEES-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Larry Fleisher, 300 words) - - Orioles at Yankees NEW YORK - Wei-Yin Chen of the Baltimore Orioles and Yankees' right-hander Ivan Nova square off in the second game of a three game AL East series at Yankee Stadium. (BBO-YANKEES-ORIOLES-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 17-5 GMT/1:05 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Larry Fleisher, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Brewers at Phillies PHILADELPHIA - Following an unplanned off day due to rain Monday, the Philadelphia Phillies host the Milwaukee Brewers in their 2014 home opener. (BBO-PHILLIES-BREWERS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 2305 GMT/7:05 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Gordon Jones, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Reds at Cardinals ST. LOUIS - Right-handers Homer Bailey (Reds) and Lance Lynn (Cardinals) meet for the second time this season with St. Louis seeking a repeat of the offensive outburst achieved against Bailey last week. (BBO-CARDINALS-REDS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0005 GMT/8:05 p.m. ET game, The Sports Xchange, by James Dent, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Angels at Mariners SEATTLE - Robinson Cano gets his first licks at Safeco Field as the Seattle Mariners welcome the Los Angeles Angels in their 2014 home opener. (BBO-MARINERS-ANGELS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0210 GMT/10:10 PM ET start, The Sports Xchange, by Scott M. Johnson, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - MLB Wrap: Tigers visit Dodgers in clash of World Series favorites Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Detroit Tigers against the host Los Angeles Dodgers in a matchup featuring two favorites to reach the World Series in one of 14 games on the MLB schedule. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 975 words) - - The full MLB schedule: American League Baltimore (Chen 0-1) at N.Y. Yankees (Nova 1-0), 1:05 PM ET Texas (Perez 0-0) at Boston (Doubront 1-0), 6:10 PM ET Houston (Oberholtzer 0-1) at Toronto (Buehrle 1-0), 7:07 PM ET Tampa Bay (Archer 1-0) at Kansas City (Ventura 0-0), 8:10 PM ET L.A. Angels (Santiago 0-1) at Seattle (Paxton 1-0), 10:10 PM ET - - National League Milwaukee (Lohse 0-1) at Philadelphia (Kendrick 0-0), 4:05 PM ET Arizona (Cahill 0-2) at San Francisco (Hudson 1-0), 4:35 PM ET Miami (Alvarez 0-1) at Washington (Gonzalez 1-0), 7:05 PM ET N.Y. Mets (Colon 0-1) at Atlanta (Harang 1-0), 7:10 PM ET Pittsburgh (Morton 0-0) at Chicago Cubs (Jackson 0-0), 8:05 PM ET Cincinnati (Bailey 0-1) at St. Louis (Lynn 1-0), 8:15 PM ET - - Interleague San Diego (Ross 0-1) at Cleveland (McAllister 0-0), 7:05 PM ET Chicago White Sox (Quintana 0-0) at Colorado (Morales 0-0), 8:40 PM ET Detroit (Scherzer 0-0) at L.A. Dodgers (Maholm 0-1), 10:10 PM ET - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE *The Sports Xchange covers all NHL games. Key matchups highlighted below. - - Central Scouting releases final rankings Kingston Frontenacs center Samuel Bennett goes wire to wire this season as NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked NHL prospect. Luc Snuggerud of Eden Prairie High School in Minnesota is the top-ranked US high school player. (HKN-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 300 words) - - Red Wings at Sabres BUFFALO, N.Y. - Detroit's loose grip on the final wild-card spot is on the line at Buffalo with Columbus, just one point behind the Red Wings, keenly interested in the outcome. (HKN-SABRES-REDWINGS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 2300 GMT/7 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Coyotes at Blue Jackets COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus can climb into the first wild-card spot with a victory and Detroit Red Wings loss, but a Blue Jackets loss opens up the second wild-card spot to several teams right on their heels. (HKN-SABRES-REDWINGS-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU, expect ASAP after the 2300 GMT/7 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Avalanche at Oilers EDMONTON - Colorado approaches the end of the season with the Chicago Blackhawks closely behind (two points) in the Central Division and can pad that lead against Oilers in the first of a four-game road trip for the Avalanche. (HKN-OILERS-AVALANCHE-FIRSTLEDE/WRITETHRU (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0130 GMT/9:30 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - NHL Wrap: Buffalo look disrupt Wings' playoff plans The Detroit Red Wings, looking to extend the NHL's longest active playoff appearance streak to 23 seasons, visit the struggling Buffalo Sabres in one of 10 games on the NHL schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 975 words) - - The full NHL schedule: Detroit at Buffalo, 7 PM ET Ottawa at NY Islanders, 7 PM ET Carolina at NY Rangers, 7 PM ET Phoenix at Columbus, 7 PM ET Toronto at Tampa Bay, 7:30 PM ET Philadelphia at Florida, 7:30 PM ET Washington at St. Louis, 8 PM ET Boston at Minnesota, 8 PM ET Nashville at Dallas, 8:30 PM ET Colorado at Edmonton, 9:30 PM ET - - - - OSCAR PISTORIUS Pistorius breaks down as he recounts Steenkamp's death PRETORIA - South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius sobs on the witness stand as he describes how, gripped by fear, he shot dead his girlfriend through a locked toilet door thinking she was an intruder. (SAFRICA-PISTORIUS/ (UPDATE 3, PIX, TV), moved, by David Dolan, 400 words) See also: Excerpts from Pistorius testimony. (SAFRICA-PISTORIUS/EXCERPTS (TEXT), moved, 950 words) - - - - SOCCER Less than half of Brazilians favor hosting World Cup, poll shows SAO PAULO - Less than half of Brazilians favor the nation's hosting of the World Cup in June, with a majority in the soccer-crazed nation believing that the tournament will do more harm than good, a poll shows. (WORLDCUP-BRAZIL/, moved, 425 words) - - - - AUTO RACING The Green Flag A look back at the weekend that was at the Duck Commander 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway and a glance ahead at nighttime racing Saturday. (CAR-SPRINT-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, NASCAR Wire Service special to The Sports Xchange, 650 words) - - - - OLYMPICS Sports federations worried over Rio venue delays BERLIN - Sports federations taking part at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics sharply criticize the Brazilian government over what they say are delays in venue construction and a lack of support as the country struggles to prepare for the Games. (OLYMPICS-RIO/DELAYS, moved, 425 words) - - - - SWIMMING Ailing Thorpe may not compete again, says manager MELBOURNE - Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe is in a Sydney hospital fighting a "serious" infection and is unlikely to swim competitively again, his manager says. (SWIMMING/THORPE (UPDATE 2), moved, 450 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)