Bowles, Koetter will return in ’ 18
The Jets extended the contracts of coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan, keeping the pair for at least the next three seasons through 2020.
“I believe we are headed in the right direction,” acting owner and CEO Christopher Johnson said.
The Jets are 5- 10 and will miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. But Bowles is credited with instilling a culture change among his players, who were in mostly every game this year. Seven of the Jets’ 10 losses have been by 10 points or fewer.
◆ A source told ESPN that the Buccaneers will bring back coach
Dirk Koetter for a third season. The Bucs are 4- 11 this season after a 9- 7 record in 2016. ◆ The Packers signed receiver
Davante Adams to a four- year contract extension worth a reported $ 58.75 million ($ 32 million guaranteed), including an $ 18 million signing bonus. Adams ( concussion) won’t play Sunday against the Lions.
JordyNelson ( shoulder) is also out.
◆ Jaguars receiver AllenHurns ( high ankle sprain) is expected to play against the host Titans, who ruled out running back DeMarco
Murray ( sprained knee).
COLLEGE BASKETBALL Hawkeyes roll past NIU
Luka Garza scored 25 points, and Iowa cruised past visiting Northern Illinois 98- 75 for its fifth consecutive win. Tyler Cook added 17 points for the Hawkeyes ( 9- 6), who shot 58 percent in the game.
Eugene German scored 20 points in 23 minutes and Justin
Thomas added 16 for the Huskies ( 7- 6), who had only 13 assists but committed 12 turnovers.
◆ NickWard had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 2 Michigan State rolled to a 111- 61 victory over visiting Cleveland State ( 3- 10). ◆ Shai Gilgeous- Alexander came off the bench to score a careerhigh 24 points and PJ Washington added 16 as No. 16 Kentucky blew out visiting Louisville 90- 61.
◆ Juwan Morgan scored 16 points and Robert Johnson 13 to help Indiana ( 8- 6) close out its nonconference schedule with a 79- 51 victory over visiting Youngstown State ( 2- 11), which had 18 turnovers.
◆ Minnesota expects guard
Nate Mason will return to the court soon, with an ankle injury not as severe as initially thought.
MISCELLANEOUS Wolves fall in shootout
The Wolves had first- period goals from Brandon Pirri and Tobias
Lindberg but fell 3- 2 in a shootout to the host Milwaukee Admirals.
Max Lagace made 20 saves for the Wolves ( 13- 12- 5- 2), who extended their point streak to nine games.
◆ Brady Tkachuk and Ron Perunovich scored third- period goals before Tkachuk and Kieffer
Bellows scored shootout goals to cap the United States’ 4- 3 victory over Canada in the World Junior Championships before 44,592 fans at snowy New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York, in international hockey’s first outdoor game.
◆ Forward Serge Ibaka was suspended because of an altercation with a team staff member Wednesday, but the Raptors were able to defeat the Hawks 111- 98 for their 11th consecutive home victory.
◆ Russell Westbrook scored 40 points, but the Thunder lost 97- 95 to the visiting Bucks.
◆ Spurs forward Rudy Gay ( right heel bursitis) will miss at least two weeks.