Big East reveals members Villanova( gathers 15- 4, Notre Dame( 12- 6) and Georgetown( 12- 6, and Minnesota( 17- 3) and Gonzaga( 14- 4) round out the Top 25 The Zags' return marked Baylor' s fall from the rankings Information from ESPN Research was used in this report. Fireball Roberts, one of the union' s earliest supporters, was first to resign from the FPA. Now every step you have to initial every step that goes on through the whole process- Kasey Kahne " It' s a process now " Kahne said on Thursday at Daytona International Speedway " Every little step you have to sign your name or initial, work with the person that is taking the sample " To me that' s because of the whole Mayfield incident, to clarify everything and make sure the driver and also the person taking the sample is on the same page " NASCAR' s procedure was under attack when attorneys were seeking a temporary injunction to get Mayfield' s suspension lifted, which it was on Wednesday by a federal judge in Charlotte, N C. Bryant started by dishing all five of his assists in the first quarter, then took the scoring later when it was available " My jump shot was falling for me pretty well " he said " I did a good job penetrating, getting into the gaps, and my teammates were hitting shots. Lohse allowed four hits, including a second- inning home run to the Reds' Laynce Nix, and threw 39 pitches Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. Drivers eliminated: Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kevin Harvick And your winner is: Jeff Gordon Matt Willis is a studio researcher at ESPN. He was ordered to undergo sensitivity training in 2006 for a calling a Chicago sports columnist a deragatory name This time, he said no one did anything to merit an apology And I don' t view this as a boys- being- boys type issue.

Nowitzki scored just eight points on 2- for- 13 shooting in Dallas' Game 6 elimination and wound up averaging a mere 19 7 points for the series on 38 3 percent shooting and just 21 1 percent on 3s . As Johnson ran untouched around the left side with the handoff from a " Statue of Liberty " play, Peterson could only point to the left from the sideline " They had some trick plays throughout the game, and I just kind of had a feeling " Peterson said " It was a nice play . Jason Hammel, originally slated to get the ball Wednesday, will start the opener Thursday against Mets ace Johan Santana . The other only concerns Wrigley, which Tribune still hopes to sell separately No dollar estimates were given for any assets . Lou Melendez, baseball' s vice president of international operations, said " That' s a matter between the Yankees, Valdivia and De Leon " I know I' ve done nothing wrong " Valdivia said when reached at his house in the Dominican in his first public comments since his firing " People think I' m a criminal. Updated: June 10, 2007, 6: 44 PM ET Arenas says he' ll opt out of deal after 2007- 08 season Comment Email Print Share ESPN news services If the Wizards hope to keep Gilbert Arenas past next season, they' ll have to ante up. That' s the solution " Game notesThe Bobcats missed their first four shots, the Celtics opened 1- for- 6.

Matsui Posada " That' s the biggest thing " he said " I don' t want to miss two years . He topped 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his first two seasons, then dropped off significantly last year Buster Olney is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine . Henne connected with Adrian Arrington late in the first quarter against Oregon, giving Michigan a 7- 3 lead and tying a school record . Right fielder Jeff Francoeur was out of the starting lineup Monday against Philadelphia because of a sore left thumb, leaving the depleted Mets without their most productive hitter of late . Holman said chemicals have nothing to do with it, and what Major League Baseball needs to do is invest in paying for better wood, which would raise the cost of the bats 10. He spent his time game- planning with coaches, logging film and signaling plays to quarterback Brett Ratliff on Saturdays " It was huge for me " Johnson said " Understanding situational football, understanding tactical football, getting on the same page as the coaches and understanding exactly what they' re thinking, that definitely helped me this year " Johnson' s presence stabilized the offense, but several others made it move Since becoming the starter Sept. The Warriors even had one last chance to tie it after Ben Wallace' s dunk, but Derek Fisher missed a 3- pointer with 1 second left " We just didn' t execute too well in the third and fourth quarter " Richardson said " When you' re playing against a good team like that, one of the best teams in the league, you' ve got to execute down the stretch " Rasheed Wallace scored his 10 fourth- quarter points in the first 9# 189; minutes, going through an array of defenders " I felt like they didn' t have nobody to stop me, and it opened up some shots for me on the outside " Wallace said with a shrug He also saved his biggest plays for last.

He is a partner in the Seattle office of the international law firm Kirkpatrick& Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis " Like Peter, I have been a Giants fan almost my entire life " Neukom said " While no one will be able to match what Peter has accomplished these past 16 years, I am excited about the opportunity before me, and I look forward to continuing the great work of this organization " Baer began his tenure with the Giants in 1993 along with Magowan Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press . The 23- year- old Wood, considered one of the most promising young hitters in the organization, batted just . In other news, the Braves placed first baseman Casey Kotchman on the bereavement list and recalled outfielder Brandon Jones from Triple- A Richmond Kotchman went to Florida to be with his ill mother . The period ended with Jefferson sinking a buzzer- beating 3 to tie the score at 74 . The 6- foot- 5 Atlanta native is 42 pounds heavier than Braxton, who' s the second biggest offensive lineman and stands 6- foot- 6. But rotator cuff problems did him in, and he made his last pitch for the Yankees in 1978 at the age of 27. PETERSBURG, Fla- The Tampa Bay Rays recalled shortstop Ben Zobrist from Triple- A Durham and optioned designated hitter- outfielder Jonny Gomes to the International League club on Tuesday.

We' ve got a tremendous opportunity to do something special this year, and I plan on doing everything possible in my means to try to help this organization accomplish that goal . His big game was a surprise, as he didn' t realize his statistics were that strong until after the game " I wasn' t even paying attention to that " Freeman said " We got on them pretty quickly and we had a lot of early success When they told me my numbers, I didn' t really believe it . By comparison, prior to the 2008 season, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera had done that just once in 443 saves and San Diego' s Trevor Hoffman, the career saves leader, has never done it In 125 of his saves, Gossage recorded at least six outs . I also hope this situation will lead the Pac- 10 to change their policy of requiring that only officials of the Pac- 10 officiate the home games of Pac- 10 universities when they are hosting a non- conference opponent " Weiberg didn' t see the last concern being resolved either " This policy is well known nationally and institutions, including OU, know this to be the case at the time of entering into contracts to play Pac- 10 opponents " he said . Game notesChristie went for a loose ball and landed on a little girl sitting courtside. Both Harris and Jacobs led Bowling Green to bowl victories and national rankings, but neither won a MAC championship, which has evaded the Falcons since 1992 " Everybody talks about the next great Bowling Green quarterback " Brandon said " There' s a standard here that' s been set with Josh and Omar. Updated: March 30, 2007, 3: 26 PM ET Gillispie to get$ 500K raise from Texas A& M Comment Email Print Share Associated Press COLLEGE STATION, Texas- Texas A& M' s Billy Gillispie has agreed to a new contract that makes him one of the highest- paid coaches in the Big 12 David J.

The Lakers( 33- 31) enter Thursday night' s game having lost six straight games and 12 of their last 15 . He didn' t change the forms later to indicate that he used his home phone " Meyer stated he thought the forms were only a formality and thus did not change what he previously reported " the report states . Updated: September 3, 2009, 1: 23 PM ET Sox promote Nunez, Hudson Comment Email Print Share ESPN news services The Chicago White Sox recalled right- handed pitcher Jhonny Nunez and purchased the contract of right- hander Daniel Hudson from Triple- A Charlotte Nunez went 5- 0 with a 2 55 ERA for Double- A Birmingham and Charlotte Hudson was 14- 5 with a 2 32 ERA in four minor- league stops . Meanwhile, starting defensive end Parys Haralson was released from University of Tennessee Medical Center on Monday after spending the night for observation and treatment for a fever and sore throat Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press . The state rivalry game is always one of the most important of the season, but this year it is essential for the Utes to win if they want to keep playing. Brown was quick to point out that the Longhorns have lost 16 players over the past two seasons to the NFL draft " We' ve lost some leadership, and what we' ve got to do is that somebody needs to jump out and take those leadership roles " Brown said " When we jump out to 14 points quickly, then we shouldn' t sit there and get complacent, or whatever happened in the second half " The Longhorns have to hope their mind- set changes against TCU, because the Horned Frogs are hungry to extend a five- game winning streak against Big 12 schools. Fredquinzo Ronte King and Rashad Arthur Raleigh, both 29, each were indicted on counts of premeditated first- degree murder and first- degree murder while committing or trying to commit aggravated robbery.

He sat out practice Thursday with a wrap around his left shoulder and upper torso and an ice bag on his neck " I don' t think Chris will play tomorrow " New Orleans coach Byron Scott said " I would love to just let him relax for the next two games and see how he feels for Monday " Right now, I think he' s still pretty banged up . It was their worst mark since they went 25- 57 in 1995- 96 under Mike Dunleavy " I' m just disappointed we couldn' t get a set team of starters like last year and have a constant rotation . He will select 20 players and has picked Duke' s Mike Krzyzewski as coach " It looks pretty good " James said " He' s getting a good group of guys together that want to win, that want revenge for what happened two summers ago " A training camp will be held in Las Vegas, to begin around July 18, to choose the 14 or so players who will participate in the world championships later this year in Japan . Updated: October 20, 2007, 4: 51 PM ET Lawyer for Kings' Williams says sex with woman was consensual Comment Email Print Share ESPN news services SACRAMENTO- Sacramento Kings reserve center Justin Williams and his girlfriend had consensual sex with a woman who is accusing him of sexual assault, his attorney said Saturday " In no way, shape or form did anything wrong happen " William Portanova said in a telephone interview " Unequivocally, 100 percent, nothing wrong " Williams has not been charged and is cooperating with authorities, according to police department spokesman Sgt Matt Young . The next 10 spots are separated by a mere 122 points " It' s going to be intense " Kahne said " From fifth to 14th is going to be really intense at Richmond next week " Harvick, who won the Nationwide race Saturday night, was in position for a weekend double until teammate Clint Bowyer spun with 15 laps to go, bringing out the final caution of the night. Updated: April 11, 2008, 6: 15 PM ET Reyes subdued with stun gun, arrested in bar fight Comment Email Print Share Associated Press TAMPA, Fla- Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Al Reyes was shocked with a stun gun and arrested early Friday after police say he fell against a ceramic pot in a bar, got up and picked a fight with a man he thought pushed him. Three games on the bench couldn' t get Ortiz going, so the latest remedy tried by Red Sox manager Terry Francona was to bump the slump- ridden designated hitter down in the order.

The move has been tied up by a lawsuit over the team' s lease at KeyArena " I wish it weren' t in litigation " Stern said " But we' re prepared to abide by the litigation . Some, including Shaquille O' Neal, have said they were still considering it, while others, including Allen Iverson, have said they were willing to make the commitment Duncan was part of the U S team that won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics He was selected for the U S . Updated: May 27, 2009, 1: 10 AM ET Williams' guarantee hurting Comment Email Print Share Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla- Mo Williams' Game 4 guarantee blew up like his swollen left eye . Morgan was injured early in the second half of Friday night' s 67- 62 victory over defending national champion Kansas . Werth Werth was injured in Thursday' s 7- 5 win over Houston. Dantonio becomes the ninth Michigan State coach since Duffy Daugherty left after the 1972 season Michigan State is barely above. Travis Hafner Designated HitterCleveland Indians Profile " He was examined by Dr.

The rules to discourage binge drinking at the Yale Bowl will take effect Nov . Information from The Associated Press was used in this report . In the first, back in 2001, Tressel' s Buckeyes jumped to a 27- 9 third- quarter lead before Penn State rallied for a 29- 27 victory that made Paterno the Division I- A career leader with 324 victories . 1 seeds are: Florida( Midwest, North Carolina( East, Ohio State( South, and Kansas( West NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKETMIDWEST( St Louis) At New Orleans Friday, March 16 No 1 Florida( 29- 5) vs No 16 Jackson State( 21- 13) No 8 Arizona( 20- 10) vs No 9 Purdue( 21- 11) At Buffalo, N Y Thursday, March 15 No 5 Butler( 27- 6) vs No 12 Old Dominion( 24- 8) No 4 Maryland( 24- 8) vs No 13 Davidson( 29- 4) At Spokane, Wash Friday, March 16 No 6 Notre Dame( 24- 7) vs No 11 Winthrop( 28- 4) No 3 Oregon( 26- 7) vs No 14 Miami( Ohio( 18- 14) At Chicago Friday, March 16 No 7 UNLV( 28- 6) vs No 10 Georgia Tech( 20- 11) No 2 Wisconsin( 29- 5) vs No 15 . Littlefield, like nearly all executives, was judged on won- lost record, and the Pirates' 442- 581 record and. It brings to mind Larry Bird, Pete Maravich, or, with a little more seasoning, the star of " My Name Is Earl " Adam Morrison could be a once- in- a- generation player for the Zags. He scored for the first time early in the third quarter and finished with seven points, six assists and four rebounds in 30 minutes.

Updated: October 28, 2008, 6: 40 PM ET Paterno and No . Nutt said he would take the blame for Johnson' s struggles as signal- caller as the Razorbacks went 0- 4 in the first half of their Southeastern Conference season, 2- 5 overall " It' s not that I' m saying it' s Robert Johnson' s fault " Nutt said " Nothing could be further from the truth . As the tourney also requires no fewer than 34 at- large selections, there will once again be a " play- in " game between the teams rated No 64 and No 65 in the field . 20, and Joey Logano in the 18, were docked 150 championship points and placed on probation through the end of this year . Spurs forward Bruce Bowen, who has become a nemesis to Phoenix fans, sank a tiebreaking 3- pointer with 36 seconds to play. ACC blog ESPN' s Heather Dinich writes about all things ACC in her conference blog# 8226& nbsp; Blog network: College Football Nation Korn was injured when Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan pushed past right tackle Landon Walker and made contact with Korn as he was throwing. Richmond was barred from the 1988 Busch Clash, now known as the Bud Shootout, after he tested positive for undetermined substances.

In response to his pleas, an officer said " You think we' ve never arrested somebody that' s made national media . Alvarez, now Wisconsin' s Athletic Director, told Schad last week " never say never " about a return to coaching . put the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates car on the pole of the Daytona 500 . McDyess' ejection forced Pistons coach Flip Saunders to alter his rotations and he had to play Jason Maxiell and Dale Davis more than usual . The converted shortstop waved off a trainer and finished the inning before leaving the game. You' ve got to feel the pain " Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. Prices will go down for 7, 500 seats in the 41, 888- seat Nationals Park, mostly in the outfield sections.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said Monday the team expects to get a medical waiver from the NCAA so Brinkley can be with the Gamecocks in 2008 . 4 boards a game, was cited for an intentional foul " He' s never done that, and what I know about him as a basketball player and as a young man, any label of him being a dirty player isn' t warranted " Capel said . John Buric, one of Mayfield' s attorneys, was surprised by the countersuit " The gloves are off and we' re going to be in a fight' he said . Dickey, whose last major league start was 24 months ago with Texas, will take Bedard' s start against the Angels . But in Hakim[ Warrick, Gerry, we have good four- year players and that' s who we want to recruit " We' ll try to get a great player if we can but we have to pick our spots. 11 Virginia Tech in nonconference games and was competitive in each before faltering late. Left fielder Raul Ibanez was elected by fans to start and center fielder Shane Victorino won a spot in Internet voting for reserves.

Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg wasn' t surprised that the team' s fans quickly gobbled up playoff tickets " This was very much an expectation " Sternberg said, according to MLB " It' s postseason baseball . It was the first time in 30 games that Illinois used a new starting lineup, this time without Frazier Senior guard Calvin Brock replaced Frazier in the lineup . Johnson, a University of Southern California product, also sent a clubhouse attendant to the Arizona side before the game to deliver a message to Diamondbacks first baseman Jackson, a former Cal- Berkeley star " Conor owes me some money, because USC beat Cal- Berkeley in football this year' Johnson said " I sent over a messenger to tell him that I wanted my money, or else he was going to have a rough at- bat' The good- natured threat didn' t faze Jackson, who singled off a first- pitch fastball from Johnson in the first inning " He' s by far their best hitter' Johnson said Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN . Hill, an assistant with the New Jersey Nets the last two seasons, took the Magic to their only NBA Finals appearance in 1995 . After Jones, who finished with 14 points, hit his third 3- pointer in the final three minutes of the third quarter, Bulls coach Scott Skiles crouched on the sidelines, rubbing his forehead in frustration " Usually it' s only a matter of time before they pull away " Skiles said " They pulled away. Updated: July 26, 2008, 1: 57 PM ET Blue Jays RHP McGowan to have season- ending shoulder surgery Comment Email Print Share Associated Press TORONTO- Blue Jays right- hander Dustin McGowan will have season- ending surgery Thursday to repair fraying of the labrum in his shoulder McGowan, who is 6- 7 with a 4. His lawyer, Nicholas Nastasi, said Hahn is confident that he will be reinstated after the probe.