UConn men’s hoops under investigation
STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut is the target of an NCAA investigation into its men’s basketball program. In a statement released Friday, UConn president Susan Herbst said the school will cooperate in a “thorough and transparent manner reflective of the model athletic and academic institution we continually strive to be.” The university didn’t specify the allegations and said it would have no further comment but would “address and respond appropriately as the inquiry moves forward.” Hearst Connecticut Media, which first reported the investigation, cited unidentified sources saying the inquiry was related to recruiting. The school said it had begun an NCAA mandated internal review of the team this past fall amid an FBI investigation into alleged corruption in men’s college basketball. The focus of the federal probe has been on arrangements made among assistant coaches, shoe companies and financial advisers. As part of that review, UConn retained a law firm — Lightfoot, Franklin and White — that specializes in athletic compliance. The school said that firm will assist in responding to this NCAA inquiry, too, but didn’t say whether the NCAA investigation was related to matters being investigated by the FBI. Huskies coach Kevin Ollie is in his sixth season leading the team and in the second year of a fiveyear $17.9-million contract that can be voided for “just cause,” including NCAA violations. The Huskies are 11-9 this season after going 16-17 a year ago, the team’s first losing season in 30 years.
› CLEVELAND — Dwayne Wade will miss time for a personal matter, creating yet another obstacle for the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade was excused from the team Friday, when the Cavs hosted Indiana, and he could be out longer to deal with the unspecified situation. Coach Tyronn Lue did not provide any details for Wade’s absence or a timeline for his return. Lue said general manager Koby Altman told Wade to “take his time” during the unspecified leave. Wade, 36, has played well coming off the bench in his first season with Cleveland, which had dropped 10 of 13 games before Friday. Wade has averaged 11.1 points, 3.9 points and 3.7 assists in 42 games.
FOOTBALL
› CHICAGO — The Pop Warner youth football program said it doesn’t agree with banning a form of the sport for young people after legislation was unveiled in Illinois prohibiting tackle football for children younger than 12. Pop Warner spokesperson Brian Heffron said the organization “can’t imagine elected officials mandating to parents which sports their children can play.” On Thursday, Illinois state Rep. Carol Sente filed the Dave Duerson Act to Prevent CTE. It is named for the Chicago Bears defensive back who was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has been linked to concussions or repeated head trauma. Heffron said Pop Warner has focused on improving the game and offers parents the option of tackle or flag football. Supporters of the legislation said the measure isn’t meant to ban tackle football, it’s meant to protect children.