College Sports Capsules: Tuberville stars in extreme makeover of Texas Tech
IRVING — Tommy Tuberville showed up to Big 12 media day wearing a suit with a red and black striped tie and a Texas Tech lapel pin. His players were equally well groomed.
That alone shows how much things have changed at Texas Tech.
Mike Leach is gone and so are his casual, wacky ways — on and off the field.
Leach ran the Red Raiders for 10 seasons marked by record passing totals but no championships. His disdain for defense and special teams, and his fascination with pirates, brought him a lot of attention because of how unique those things are for a college football coach. But when an accusation of player harassment was piled atop other difficulties with his bosses, it cost him his job and prompted a messy fight that's still not resolved.
Tuberville was hired to clean things up and to finally win a title. He's spent the last six months getting players and boosters to buy into his new way of doing things.
How different?
His teams will pass less and run more, perhaps down to a 60-40 split. (Yes, passing will still be the bigger number.) Quarterbacks occasionally will take snaps directly from the center instead of lining up in a shotgun formation.
They'll punt on most fourth downs. Defense will be emphasized.
Players are being encouraged to discuss things like winning championships and making it to the NFL. Seriously, those are all things that weren't happening under Leach.
So it could've been jarring when Tuberville came in demanding things like being on time and not wearing earrings to practices or games. Instead, he's "made it as tough as possible, physically and mentally," and found players ready to be challenged.
"I've had not one complaint nor one player quit the team," said Tuberville, who also walked into turmoil at his two previous head coaching jobs, Mississippi and Auburn. "(Tech) is the only team out of the three that nobody quit."
At his first meeting with the team, Tuberville apologized — on behalf of his profession — for what the players endured during their bowl week. That was when Leach went from being suspended to being fired just before a hearing to see whether he could get an injunction forcing the school to let him coach in the Alamo Bowl.
"I think he wanted to reassure us that it wasn't going to end up like that for him," quarterback Taylor Potts said. "He wanted us to realize he's not in it for selfish reasons at all. He's here to win ballgames, and he wants us to win. ... He respected all of us. It was nice to hear him care about us."
Tuberville also met one-on-one with players.
"I don't know if you want to say star-struck, but it was kind of like, 'This guy was an established coach; he went undefeated (at Auburn in 2004),'" said Steven Sheffield, who is battling Potts for the starting job. "The way he conducted himself, everything was just totally different: 'I've been there, done this before and we want to do it again.'"
Leach raised the school's profile along with his own, always doing things his way.
He was often an hour late for media day. Tuberville made sure they arrived an hour early.
Leach also usually wore the same navy sports coat that school officials bought for him the day he was hired, over a T-shirt and khaki pants.
Such an ensemble fits just fine in rooms full of sports writers, but Tuberville sees it differently. As he told the players he brought along: "You're representing not just you, but all your teammates and all the people that love Texas Tech that have either given money or spent a lot of time. We're not trying to impress anybody. It's just, hey, this is what's expected of us. The more that you expect, the more you usually get out of it."
Even the fact Tuberville brought both Potts and Sheffield is noteworthy. Leach often restricted access to his headliners, instead pushing a lesser player he claimed deserved more attention.
Tuberville wanted to see how they'll handle the spotlight.
"Your quarterback is your team leader, not your head coach," Tuberville said. "Your quarterback has to have the respect of every player on the team from the kickers (to the) defensive linemen. Everybody has to have confidence that the quarterbacks are going to get the job done. So this is just part of their growing process, coming here today."
Tuberville seemingly stole a page from Leach's playbook by questioning the viability of the conference and the way dollars are divvied up. It was a bold move considering the league nearly went out of business early last month, with Nebraska going to the Big Ten and the Pac-10 taking Colorado and trying to poach five other schools.
Commissioner Dan Beebe slapped Tuberville back into line with a public reprimand. They greeted each other cordially Tuesday, and Tuberville later joked that his statement was a remnant from spending the last few years as a TV analyst.
"In television, they taught us to speak our mind," he said in his opening statement. "I forgot to get that out of my mind a few weeks ago, so I got to get back on the coaching side."
Notebook: Kansas State RB aims to put run back in Big 12
IRVING — Quick, name last year's Big 12 rushing leader. It might be easier in four months than it is right now.
Kansas State's Daniel Thomas was the only player in the conference to average more than 100 rushing yards per game in 2009. In a league dominated recently by big-name quarterbacks, Thomas thinks he can help lead the way back to the days of Ricky Williams, Adrian Peterson and Darren Sproles.
"It's pass-happy now," said Thomas, who led four 1,000-yard rushers in the Big 12 with 1,265 last season. "But I feel like this year, there are four or five guys that are probably the best running backs around. So I feel like this will be the year of the running backs again."
The reserved Thomas was peppered with phrases such as "face of the team" and "top of the draft board" Tuesday during Big 12 media days. He didn't flinch and smiled throughout, but kept his answers short.
"Yeah, I'm ready. I'm ready to play, to be honest," Thomas said. "Coach (Bill) Snyder told me to expect that coming in from last year."
Two years ago, Thomas was sidelined by academic problems after signing with Kansas State out of junior college. He was a quarterback in high school and junior college before Snyder moved him to running back when he came out of retirement last year.
"Daniel will be Daniel. He's a humble young guy. He's going to be the best player that he can be," Snyder said. "What the numbers are, I don't know. He doesn't care about what those are."
Nine of the 10 leading rushers in the Big 12 are expected back, including two other 1,000-yard rushers in Alexander Robinson of Iowa State and Roy Helu Jr. of Nebraska. As a result, the odds are better that the league's offensive player of the year could be a running back — instead of a quarterback — for the first time since Colorado's Chris Brown in 2002.
BY GEORGE, BRANDON: There are many things Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden has experienced that most college football players haven't. Like talking to late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
The former pro baseball player was New York's first pick in the 2002 draft, a pitcher taken in the second round. He said Steinbrenner called after Weeden signed out of high school for a $565,000 bonus.
Weeden remembered playing rookie ball in Tampa, Steinbrenner's hometown, and being around "The Boss" when the big league club was in the midst of a long losing streak.
"He was not a happy camper," said Weeden, who is taking over for Zac Robinson and will turn 27 in October. "Rookie ball, it's different. You don't have any fans. You're just sitting around watching games. Everybody sees 'The Boss' and everybody kinda scoots this way, 'I don't want him sitting by me.' He was an intimidating guy."
Weeden was later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization before abandoning baseball in 2007 and joining the Cowboys.
"He signed my paycheck for two years, so I can't complain," said Weeden, who has another year of eligibility remaining.
MIZZOU'S MOMENTUM: Missouri's streak of five consecutive winning seasons is the school's longest in nearly 30 years, and coach Gary Pinkel has a chance for the most sustained success since the Dan Devine era in the 1960s.
The Tigers slipped to 8-5 last year after winning at least 10 games in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. But Pinkel didn't see that as a huge step back. He figured the young 2009 team was capable of winning nine games, which would have happened if Missouri hadn't lost to Navy 35-13 in the Texas Bowl.
"It's lessons learned," Pinkel said. "We have more expectations for our football team this year. What you want to do is win at a high level on a consistent basis, and that's what our goal is."
A year ago, Pinkel was trying to ease the pressure on quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who was replacing Columbia cult hero Chase Daniel. Gabbert held his own as a sophomore, throwing for more yards than Colt McCoy (3,593) with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Now, Gabbert's a year older and senior running back Derrick Washington (865 yards, 10 touchdowns) brings experience as well.
"We know we can win at a high level," Gabbert said. "Last year, we definitely could have won more games than we did."
Missouri's high point under Pinkel (12-2 in 2007) still fell short of a conference title, something Devine did twice during a stretch of 12 consecutive winning seasons. But Pinkel is still around, getting ready for his 10th season.
"I think we've made a lot of progress," Pinkel said. "I just want to continue to build our program and raise the standards of winning."
WHAT'S IN A NAME: The second question of a lengthy media session for Dan Beebe, commissioner of what will soon be the 10-team Big 12, was about the league's name. He immediately thought of his counterpart from what will soon be the 12-team Big Ten.
"Yeah, I'm in communication with commissioner Jim Delany now about a swap," Beebe said.
It's easy for Beebe to joke around now that he knows he'll have a job in a year. The serious answer was that conference executives and members will spend the next nine months or so figuring out what to call the league. And they haven't ruled out "Big 12."
"It may be our brand is significant enough that we don't want to change it," Beebe said. "I think we need to look at not just whether we change our name or our brand. What are the messages we want to convey going forward?"
-- Schuyler Dixon
Oklahoma State safety arrested again
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Already facing a charge of driving under the influence, Oklahoma State safety Victor Johnson has been arrested again.
University police arrested Johnson just after midnight Saturday morning at his campus apartment for allegedly obstructing an officer who was responding to a complaint of a suspicious odor, according to school spokesman Gary Shutt.
The 20-year-old Johnson is already facing a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol from last month. He pleaded innocent on that charge during a court hearing Monday in Stillwater.
Johnson's attorney, Willie Baker, did not immediately respond to a message left Tuesday by The Associated Press.
Oklahoma State's preseason media guide lists Johnson as the Cowboys' starting kickoff returner and backup free safety. He has played in 19 games at OSU and started twice last season.
Sooners backup RB Madu charged with DUI
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma reserve running back Mossis Madu has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn filed the misdemeanor charge Tuesday against Madu, who was stopped around 3:10 a.m. Saturday while driving near the university campus in Norman.
The arresting officer wrote in an affidavit that he pulled Madu over after noticing the player's Jeep Commander cross the center line on Boyd Street and continue weaving. According to the affidavit, the 22-year-old Madu admitted he had been drinking and his blood-alcohol content was measured at more than twice Oklahoma's legal limit.
Team spokesman Kenny Mossman says the matter will be handled internally.
Iowa State player Sims charged in credit card case
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State defensive back David Sims has been charged with unauthorized use of a credit card.
The aggravated misdemeanor charge was filed Tuesday by the Story County Attorney's Office. Sims is due in court Aug. 2.
Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads issued a statement saying Sims will face disciplinary action internally. He also says Sims has been relieved of his post as co-captain.
Sims, a senior from Gainesville, Fla., was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2009 after leading the Cyclones with five interceptions.
Police began investigating when a Des Moines woman reported July 17 that her credit card, which her son had taken to Ames, was stolen. The card was used at several Ames-area businesses. Police searched Sims' apartment last week.
A man who identified himself as Sims hung up when offered the chance to comment Tuesday.
Mountain West
TCU picked to repeat in Mountain West
LAS VEGAS (AP) — TCU is still on top in the Mountain West Conference.
The Horned Frogs received all 31 first-place votes in the league's preseason media poll, released Tuesday.
"Probably what that means is that we have good talent. Now we have to live up to it," TCU coach Gary Patterson said. "I think that's the whole thing. It doesn't matter what people say about them in August. Preseason goes off of what happened last year."
And last year was great for the Horned Frogs, who finished 12-1. The only loss was to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
TCU has 16 returning starters, including preseason offensive player of the year Andy Dalton. The senior quarterback, who was the 2009 MWC offensive player of year, is one of nine starters coming back on offense.
TCU linebacker Tank Carder was named the preseason player of the year on defense and kick returner Jeremy Kerley got the special teams honor Tuesday.
Utah is picked to finish second in its last season before joining the Pac-10. BYU is third, followed by Air Force, Wyoming, San Diego State and Colorado State.
UNLV is eighth as new coach Bobby Hauck takes over the program and New Mexico is picked to repeat at ninth after going 1-11 last year — just 1-7 in the MWC.
Pac-12
Pac-10 comes to New York, announces name change
NEW YORK (AP) — For years people in the Pac-10 — from players to fans — have complained about a lack of recognition and a so-called East Coast bias that caused the conference to be under-appreciated nationally.
Commissioner Larry Scott, who grew up in New York on Long Island, decided that instead of complaining it was time for the league to do something about it.
Say goodbye to the old Pac-10. The league has a new logo, a new more aggressive attitude and two new members scheduled to arrive in 2011. And when Colorado and Utah officially join, the conference will also have a new name.
The Pac-12 is on its way.
"We will be mathematically correct going forward," Scott said Monday at a news conference at a Manhattan hotel.
Scott brought all his football coaches and a few of his star quarterbacks — including Washington's Jake Locker and Stanford's Andrew Luck — to the Big Apple for a couple of days to draw a some more attention to a conference that has been making plenty of headlines this offseason.
In June, Scott nearly turned the Pac-10 into the Pac-16 — and in the process nearly killed the Big 12.
But Texas, Oklahoma and three other Big 12 teams decided to stay put and Scott had to settle for adding Colorado and Utah.
It was a bold move by a conference known for being anything but. Scott, about to start his second season as commissioner, says he received a mandate from the university presidents he works for to remake the league and he's embraced that task.
"I spent my first three months kind of listening," he said. "The common refrain I kept hearing was everyone recognized the excellence of the Pac-10 here on the West Coast but we don't feel we get the respect we deserve nationally.
"It seemed to be a bit of an excuse and that the Pac-10 in my estimation was very laid back and passive in terms of how it went about telling its story and promoting itself," he said.
"To me the disconnect was people worried about that but they were not really doing much about it."
The Pac-10 has been holding its football preseason media event at an airport hotel in Los Angeles for years. The one-day event drew little attention west of Arizona, especially in comparison to the multiple-day media circuses run by other power conferences such as the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten and Big 12.
Scott attended his first Pac-10 football media day last year and was less than impressed.
"This can't be how we're promoting ourselves," he said was his reaction.
It's hard to imagine coaches in the SEC or Big Ten packing up for a few days right before the start of preseason practice and traveling to New York city simply to meet the media, but Scott's coaches embraced the idea.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly, a northeasterner with roots in New England, loves the idea of the Pac-10's outreach program.
"I think it's smart. I have friends back in the northeast that want to see us play but they're getting Big 12 games," Kelly said. "Why aren't they getting Pac-10 games?"
And that will be Scott's biggest challenge. The Pac-10 will be in the market for a new television contract starting next year. Scott's goal is to land a deal that will allow it to compete with the SEC and Big Ten, which are paying its members about twice what Pac-10 teams make based mostly on more lucrative television deals.
The new logo — a sleek looking shield with images of waves and mountains surrounding the number 10 (for now) — a new website and a new promotional video that references Lewis and Clark's exploration are nice first steps, but what the Pac-10 needs most of all is its games televised in better time slots and reaching more homes.
But for now, the Pac-10 is done complaining about who's not paying attention and going about the business of making sure it gets noticed.
"The response has been terrific," Scott said. "People are craving change, they're craving energy."
-- Ralph D. Russo
Other Football News
Parker reconnecting with Tiger teammates
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Kyle Parker's view on his Clemson football future wasn't that different from many worried Tiger fans.
"I pretty much thought I was gone," Parker said Tuesday.
Instead, the Colorado Rockies' top draft pick was back on campus reconnecting with football teammates he hadn't worked with since the spring.
Parker acknowledged he wasn't sure he'd ever throw passes again when the Rockies took him with the 26th pick overall last month. Instead, the two sides couldn't agree by July 20 — Parker's deadline to let football coach Dabo Swinney know his plans — and the first Division player to throw 20 touchdowns and hit 20 homers the same year happily returned to Death Valley.
"It's funny how things work out," Parker said. "After I made the decision, I felt at peace and felt like it happened for a reason."
Clemson baseball coach Jack Leggett was surprised at Parker's return, but was glad his player will be around some more — albeit on a different field.
"Not many guys would've done what he did," Leggett said.
Parker said he and Rockies will continue talking until the Aug. 16 deadline on a contract that lets him report for baseball in the spring. Should those negotiations falter, it could set up even more drama for Parker who's eligible for the both the NFL and MLB drafts in 2011.
"That's a whole lot of things up in the air," Parker said.
Swinney believes Parker's pro football upside is as great as his baseball potential. And, after a slow start, Parker proved that with a stellar freshman season.
He threw for 20 touchdowns and 2,526 yards, both Clemson freshman records. His 26-yard scoring strike to Jacoby Ford in overtime brought Clemson a 40-37 win at Miami, part of six-game win streak that lifted the Tigers to their first ACC Atlantic Division title.
The Tigers already enter this year without record-setters in tailback C.J. Spiller, receiver Ford and tight end Michael Palmer. Losing Parker would've been another dent in Clemson's hopes to repeat as Atlantic Division champs.
"There's nothing like experience at that position," Swinney said.
Parker can't wait to get going after an extended break away from athletics. If anyone deserved a rest, though, it was Parker.
He was the untested rookie in early 2009 who couldn't afford to miss a practice or a film session while juggling spring football and his second baseball season. The relentless pace continued as Parker won the starting quarterback job and helped Clemson to a 9-5 mark and its first bowl victory in four years.
A couple of weeks after football ended, Parker was back at it in the batting cage as Clemson's right fielder-designated hitter. Things didn't end until late June as the Tigers advanced to the College World Series.
Parker said friends, coaches and teammates sent text messages and called constantly, wanting any clue about his athletic direction when all he wanted was a break.
Parker felt relief when a July deadline passed without a deal and he could call Swinney with the news he'd be back.
"He said something like 'Hot damn,'" Parker recalled.
For Swinney, Parker's decision left just about every pro avenue open. "This is a guy that'd be walking away from a potential pro career in another sport," the coach said.
Not that Parker's teammates minded his late return. Tight end Dwayne Allen said last week he grew emotional when he learned Parker was coming back.
"I didn't mean to make him cry," Parker joked. "I guess I could throw him a couple of balls."
Parker says it won't take long to return to football shape. He got in some running Monday and planned to throw with teammates more this week. The Tigers officially report for summer camp Monday with their first practice Tuesday evening.
Swinney and Leggett expect a deal with the Rockies to get done soon. Parker will carry disability insurance to protect his financial position in case of football injury.
Now, though Parker is locked into football and his increased role in Clemson's offense.
"I'm just thinking about getting that (August) date out of the way and going to play," Parker said. "Because that's what I like doing, I like to play ball."
-- Pete Iacobelli
ECU assistant resigns amid possible violations
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Mark Nelson resigned as an assistant football coach at East Carolina after the school learned of possible NCAA violations concerning his observation of voluntary summer workouts, school officials said Tuesday night.
Athletic director Terry Holland told first-year coach Ruffin McNeill earlier Tuesday that the school's compliance office was investigating concerns that Nelson evaluated players during summer activities, the AD said in a statement issued by the school.
Holland says Nelson met with McNeill, admitted to the violations and offered his resignation as defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator.
"Coach Nelson and Coach McNeill agreed that these violations would be a distraction to the team at this critical time of the year and Coach Nelson offered to step down from his position," Holland said.
Holland said the school will report the violations to the NCAA and will cooperate fully with the governing body. The violations are likely to be classified as secondary, he said.
McNeill said the search for Nelson's replacement will begin immediately, adding that he might reshuffle his staff. The Pirates report Aug. 5 for the start of preseason practice.
"This is certainly an unfortunate development, but integrity will be the foundation of our program," McNeill said. "We are going to comply with the spirit and letter of NCAA rules at East Carolina. I expect my players to do the right thing ... and I demand my coaches to do the same. As head football coach, failure to comply with NCAA rules will not be tolerated."
Nelson has 23 years of coaching experience at the professional and college levels. In 2009, he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Drug charges against 3 N.C. State athletes dismissed
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge has dismissed drug charges against three North Carolina State football players after ruling that police conducted an illegal search of an apartment where marijuana was found.
Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday that charges were dismissed against offensive tackle Jake Vermiglio, and defensive tackles Markus Kuhn and J.R. Sweezy. A hearing on charges against tight end George Bryan has been postponed to a later date.
Neither the Wake County district attorney's office nor defense attorneys could be reached for comment on Tuesday evening.
District Court Judge Keith Gregory ruled that the search of the apartment by the off-duty Raleigh police office working at the complex was not lawful.
Coach Tom O'Brien said Monday that all the players will be with the team when practice begins.
Former Tide football signee giving up pro baseball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — A former Alabama football signee says he's giving up pro baseball and hopes to join the Crimson Tide.
Wide receiver Melvin Ray, a 2008 Tide signee, is no longer with the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization after a three-year stint as a minor league outfielder. The 21-year-old hopes to be part of Alabama's incoming 2011 recruiting class and possibly enroll in time for spring practice.
Ray's father, Melvin Sr., says his son will try to enroll in junior college this fall to complete needed course work for eligibility.
Ray says he doesn't plan to reopen his recruiting to other schools. He hasn't received a formal offer from Tide coach Nick Saban.
Ray would have four years of eligibility in college football. He was a 33rd-round draft pick of the Dodgers.
California punter picks LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Dalton Botts graduated from high school two years ago as a quarterback looking for a place to throw spirals. After one season at Bakersfield College, the California native discovered that his leg not his arm would point the way to a spot at a BCS school.
Botts became LSU's 13th commitment for the 2011 recruiting class during an official recruiting visit this weekend. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound punter plans to enroll next summer with two years of eligibility remaining.
Botts tells The Advocate that he will play his final season as a quarterback at Moorpark College this fall.
Botts picked up the scholarship offer from LSU by making noise at various summer kicking camps. He is now in line to become the third punter to sign with the Tigers in as many years.
Dooley says he hasn't talked to RB Bryce Brown
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Derek Dooley says he still hasn't talked to running back Bryce Brown about the possibility of returning to the Volunteers.
Dooley announced in March that Brown had decided to leave the program. At a Knoxville Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday, the coach said Brown hasn't approached him to ask for a release from Tennessee to join another program either, which he acknowledged was "bizarre."
Dooley says he's been open to the possibility of the would-be sophomore returning but also did not expect that to happen.
A university spokesman would not comment on reports that Brown missed a planned meeting with the coach.
Georgia's Dent could miss opening game
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia linebacker Akeem Dent's status for the Bulldogs' season-opener is in doubt due to a toe injury that required surgery.
According to a statement released by Georgia, Dent, a senior, had outpatient surgery on Tuesday morning for a toe injury he suffered in an accident off the field last week.
Georgia director of sports medicine Ron Courson says the normal recovery time for Dent's injury is four to six weeks. Dent could miss Georgia's Sept. 4 opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Dent is listed as a starter on the team's preseason depth chart.
Boise State safety suspended for 3 games
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Boise State football coach Chris Petersen says safety Jason Robinson has been suspended for the first three games of the 2010 season.
Robinson pleaded guilty on May 25 to misdemeanor battery for breaking another man's jaw during a fight at a downtown Boise bar. He was sentenced to 20 days on a county labor crew, ordered to pay $29,000 in restitution and perform 200 hours of community service.
The Idaho Statesman reports that Robinson will miss games against Virginia Tech, Wyoming and Oregon State.
Robinson was suspended in March. He was initially charged with a felony, but a felony conviction would have made him ineligible for his athletic scholarship.
Leftwich returns to coach Tulsa offensive line
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Spencer Leftwich is returning to Tulsa for a second stint as the Golden Hurricane's offensive line coach.
Head coach Todd Graham announced Tuesday that Leftwich would take the place of former co-offensive coordinator Herb Hand, who is leaving for a job in the Southeastern Conference.
Leftwich coached Tulsa's offensive line from 2003 to 2006, a span that included three trips to bowl games and one Conference USA championship. He has spent the last three seasons in the same position at North Texas.
The Golden Hurricane led the nation in total offense in 2007 and 2008 while Hand and Gus Malzahn shared the title of co-offensive coordinator. Two years later, neither one is on Tulsa's staff.
WSU's Spitz ineligible for first 9 games
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Washington State sophomore defensive tackle Dan Spitz will be ineligible for the first nine games of the 2010 season for violating the NCAA's policy on banned substances.
The NCAA issued the ruling on Tuesday, but did not disclose what substance Spitz used. He will be eligible to practice with the team, but won't be able to play until the Nov. 6 game against California.
Washington State coach Paul Wulff says in a statement that Spitz made a mistake and is paying a large price, and that athletes are encouraged to consult with staff members about any products they are taking. Wulff says that did not happen.
Also, freshman linebacker Andre Barrington will be ineligible for the entire 2010 season after not meeting minimum NCAA academic standards.
Former Tennessee OL Harry Galbreath dead at 45
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — NFL veteran offensive lineman Harry Galbreath has died. He was 45. His death was announced by the Tennessee athletic department and confirmed by CSX Transportation in Mobile, Ala., where he was working at the time of his death.
Galbreath was selected by Miami in the eighth round of the 1988 NFL draft after playing for Tennessee from 1984-87. He was named to the NFL's rookie team that season.
He and spent five seasons with the Dolphins, three with the Green Bay Packers and one with the New York Jets before retiring.
The Clarksville, Tenn., native started for the Vols for three seasons and was named to the 1987 All-Southeastern Conference team.
Men's Basketball
Pitino jurors see TV interview with defendant
watched an interview she gave to a local TV station describing an alleged sexual assault by University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino.
Federal prosecutors say Sypher made the allegation in April 2009 in retaliation for Pitino contacting the FBI about threatening phone calls he received in February 2009.
The interview with WDRB-TV was never broadcast and was seen publicly for the first time in Sypher's federal trial on charges of extortion, lying to the FBI and retaliating against a witness.
Sypher said Pitino assaulted her in July 2003 after closing time at Porcini, an Italian restaurant in Louisville.
"It didn't last long. It seemed like hours for me," said Sypher, appearing to cry, although no tears were visible on the video. "All he said was shut up, shut up and be quiet."
In July 2009, Sypher filed a police report accusing Pitino of rape. Police and prosecutors dismissed the complaint as lacking evidence.
Sypher, 50, is accused of demanding $10 million, college tuition for her children and her house to be paid off in exchange for her silence about her encounter with Pitino.
Pitino, who has acknowledged a consensual sexual encounter with Sypher at the restaurant, was not in court as jurors watched the video. Pitino's attorney said the coach could testify Wednesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kuhn said Monday in court that Sypher traded sexual favors to have a man make phone calls in February 2009 threatening to expose Pitino's fling with Sypher and to have an attorney send a letter demanding money or he would be accused in a lawsuit of rape.
Prosecutors are using the video and plan to call a reporter from another Louisville television station to testify as they attempt to prove Sypher publicized the rape allegation because Pitino would not meet her demands for money, cars and a house.
In opening statements, prosecutors showed jurors a letter signed by Sypher saying: "If all is accepted, I will protect Rick Pitino's name for life."
On the video, Sypher at times appeared to become emotional when talking about the rape allegations, but quickly stopped to answer the next question. At other times, she appeared defiant, telling the station she "had nothing to lose."
Sypher claimed Pitino forcibly undressed her, then pushed her down before forcing himself on her.
"I said, 'What are you doing? What's going on? I don't want this'," Sypher said. "I don't know why I was afraid. I was afraid of this powerful man."
"Was there any way he could have misunderstood?" WDRB-TV anchor Candyce Clifft asked Sypher.
"No. No. No. Absolutely no. I was raped," Sypher answered.
In the interview Sypher said she became pregnant during the encounter. When she told Pitino, she says he ordered her to keep quiet and threatened Sypher and her family.
Sypher said Pitino later forced her to have an abortion. Pitino has said he gave Sypher $3,000 for medical insurance, not an abortion.
Prosecutors edited the tape to remove comments made by Sypher's son, Jacob Wise, who is expected to testify later in the trial.
Also Tuesday, a longtime friend and sometime sexual partner of Sypher described for jurors three threatening phone calls he made to Pitino in February 2009.
Lester Goetzinger, a gas service technician for LG&E, told jurors Sypher asked him to make the calls after the two had a sexual encounter.
In the calls, which were played for the jury, Goetzinger told Pitino he would make public allegations that the coach raped Sypher and forced her to have an abortion unless he did "the right thing."
"I'm not out to get money," Goetzinger said on Pitino's voice mail. "I don't want no part of that."
Goetzinger said he made the calls after Sypher, who he has known for more than 15 years, told a story of being raped twice by Pitino and being forced to have an abortion. The first calls were made Feb. 26, 2009, after a sexual liaison, Goetzinger said.
FBI special agent Mike Schafer said Sypher appeared to know more than she let on about who made the calls to Pitino. During the April 17, 2009 interview at the FBI office in downtown Louisville, Sypher denied knowing who made the calls, then gave investigators an incorrect name, Schafer said.
"Did you believe her?" asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Ford.
"I did not," Schafer responded. "I did not believe she was being truthful."
Pitino has coached at Louisville since 2001, a job he took after leaving the NBA's Boston Celtics, where Sypher's estranged husband, Tim Sypher, served as special assistant to Pitino. Tim Sypher continued to work for Pitino as Louisville's men's basketball equipment manager, according to the school's website, but has recently been named director of the Yum Center, the building that houses offices and training facilities for Louisville's men's basketball team.
Tim and Karen Sypher are in the midst of a divorce. They have a young daughter together.
-- Brent Barrouquere
Drexel players suspended from team after charges
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Drexel University athletic officials indefinitely suspended two basketball players charged in an armed robbery at a fellow student's apartment last week.
Starting point guard Jamie Harris and backup forward Kevin Phillip turned themselves in to police Monday to face robbery, theft and weapons charges. They were placed on interim suspension Monday by the university.
Director of Athletics Eric Zillmer said officials are saddened by the allegations. Head basketball coach James Flint said he was "disappointed," and if the allegations are true, the behavior was "unacceptable and inconsistent with our program's values and mission."
Authorities allege that the two 21-year-old players and a third student planned to take money believed to be in an off-campus apartment in West Philadelphia, but ended up with only two cell phones.
AU's Sullivan has knee surgery
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn guard Frankie Sullivan has undergone successful surgery on his left knee.
A statement from Auburn said there was no timetable set for Sullivan's return after Tuesday's operation by Dr. James Andrews at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham. There were no immediate details on the nature of the injury or how it occurred.
Sullivan was the only returnee who averaged more than three points last season. He averaged 12.7 points and was second in the SEC in free throw shooting.
The Tigers lost two-thirds of their scoring and rebounding from last year's team.
First-year coach Tony Barbee says the Tigers "were all looking forward to him having a big year." Barbee flew back from a recruiting trip to be with Sullivan.
Nebraska heading to Bahamas for 4 games in August
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Doc Sadler says his men's basketball team will get some much-needed work when it plays four games during an eight-day trip to the Bahamas next month.
The Cornhuskers will begin practicing next Monday for games against the four club teams they'll face on the trip, which starts Aug. 13.
Sadler said the trip comes at a great time and that it should help the team improve as it prepares for next season.
Nebraska finished 15-18 overall last season and in last place in the Big 12 with a 2-14 record. The Huskers return two full-time starters in point guard Lance Jeter and center Jorge Brian Diaz.
WVU says Huggins broke 7 ribs instead of 4
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — A spokesman for the West Virginia University basketball team says further testing has revealed that coach Bob Huggins broke seven ribs — not four — in a hotel room fall.
Bryan Messerly said Tuesday Huggins remains in a Las Vegas hospital and should be released soon, but he does not know exactly when.
Messerly says Huggins told him Sunday he was doing well. Huggins injured himself in a fall in his Las Vegas hotel room Friday. He was in Nevada on a recruiting trip.
Former Vols Smith, Chism to play in Turkey
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two former Tennessee Volunteers will play in the Turkish Basketball League in its upcoming season.
According to Allegiant Athletic Agency, forward Tyler Smith will play again for Bornova and center Wayne Chism will play for Antalya.
Smith played for Bornova for three months last season, averaging 17 points and eight rebounds. He considered leagues in France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
Chism averaged 12.6 points and 7.2 rebounds and had 48 blocks in his senior season with the Vols.
Women's Basketball
Defending champ UConn in Maggie Dixon Classic
NEW YORK (AP) — Maya Moore and the Connecticut Huskies will return to Madison Square Garden to play Ohio State in the Maggie Dixon Classic on Dec. 19.
The two-time defending national champions have won an NCAA-record 78 straight games having gone unbeaten the last two seasons. They return three starters from last season's team that beat Stanford for a seventh national title. The Huskies beat Penn State in the Maggie Dixon Classic in 2008.
Rutgers will face Texas A&M in the first game of the women's basketball doubleheader.
Ohio State will be making its second appearance in the Classic as the Buckeyes traveled to West Point in 2006 for the inaugural game against Army. Ohio State finished eighth in the final Top 25 poll before losing to Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The Buckeyes still have a potent inside-outside offense with center Jantel Lavender and guard Samantha Prahalis and should once again be one of the top 10 teams in the nation.
It's the fourth straight season that the Scarlet Knights will play at the Garden in the Classic named for the former Army women's coach. Rutgers lost to Tennessee last season in front of nearly 7,200 fans.
Texas A&M finished ninth in the Top 25 last season after winning the Big 12 title. The Aggies lost to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer, UConn's Geno Auriemma, Ohio State's Jim Foster and Texas A&M's Gary Blair have combined for over 2,850 victories.
Maggie Dixon died April 6, 2006, of arrhythmia, probably caused by an enlarged heart. Her death came three weeks after her first season as a head coach, a performance that won the admiration of the academy and all of college basketball.
-- Doug Feinberg
Baseball
SEC awaits bids for baseball tourney site
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Five cities are expected to make bids to host the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament.
The league sent bid packages to Hoover and Montgomery, Ala., Memphis, Duluth, Ga., Jacksonville, Fla., and Jackson, Miss., says SEC assistant commissioner Craig Mattox. Little Rock, Ark., also received one but said Monday it won't bid because its stadium doesn't meet the SEC's preference of at least 10,000 seats.
The tournament has been held in Hoover's Regions Park since 1998. It's set to remain there through next season.
Proposals are due Friday from other cities, but a decision could be months away.
It's the first time the baseball event has been opened up for bids.
Memphis, Duluth and Hoover all meet the 10,000-seat standard.
