UConn AD says Ollie to stay for season
Connecticut Athletic Director David Benedict said Tuesday the school will fight to protect its men’s basketball program, which is the subject of an NCAA investigation and he will evaluate the future of coach Kevin Ollie after the season.
Benedict, who met with reporters Tuesday for the first time since the school confirmed the program is under investigation last month, declined to say what the NCAA is investigating or whether any potential violations might be major or minor in nature.
UConn, which last year had its first losing season in three decades, is 11-12 this season, including 4-6 in the American Athletic Conference.
But Benedict indicated Ollie’s job is safe through the remainder of this season.
Kentucky: Injured forward Tai Wynyard was suspended from team activities for an unspecified violation of team rules. The 6-foot-10 sophomore from New Zealand has missed the past 10 games with what coach John Calipari said was a disk issue that will likely sideline him for the season.
James Madison: The school postponed men’s basketball games scheduled for Thursday night at home against North Carolina-Wilmington and Saturday’s game at Elon over fears of a possible mumps outbreak in the program.
Tuesday’s Top 25 games
No. 4 Michigan State at Iowa: Late
No. 5 Xavier 98, (at) Butler 93 (OT): Trevon Bluiett scored 17 of his 26 points in the final 14½ minutes of regulation and overtime as the Musketeers (223, 10-2 Big East) escaped an upset bid from the Bulldogs (17-8, 7-5) for their seventh straight win. Kelan Martin had 34 points for Butler.
(At) No. 6 Cincinnati 77, UCF 40: Kyle Washington had 13 points, and Gary Clark scored 12 as the Bearcats (22-2, 11-0 American Athletic) routed the Golden Knights (14-9, 5-6) for their 15th straight win. Cincinnati extended the nation’s longest active home-court winning streak to 39 games.
No. 10 Kansas vs. TCU: Late
No. 15 Tennessee 61, (at) No. 24 Kentucky 59: Lamonte Turner came off the bench to score 16 points, including a clutch 3-pointer with 26 seconds remaining, and Admiral Schofield followed with a dunk off a turnover as the Volunteers (18-5, 8-3 SEC) beat the Wildcats (17-7, 6-5) for just their fifth Rupp Arena victory and first since 2006. Quade Green and Gilgeous-Alexander each had 15 points for Kentucky, which has lost two straight.
(At) Northwestern 61, No. 20 Michigan 52: Bryant McIntosh tied a season high with 24 points as the Wildcats (15-10, 6-6 Big Ten) upset the Wolverines (19-7, 8-5). Moe Wagner led Michigan with 20 points and nine rebounds.
No. 22 Wichita State at Memphis: Late
ODDS AND ENDS
College football: Washington said former Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason is transferring to the Huskies. He will have sit out this season to fulfill NCAA requirements, but he would be on target to replace senior Jake Browning in 2019 . ... Auburn coach Gus Malzahn will make at least $49 million over the next seven years under his new contract.
Tennis: The U.S. Open will have two arenas with double sessions. Through last year, only Arthur Ashe Stadium had separate day and night programs. But the new, 14,000-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium will have dedicated night sessions in 2018. Ashe and Armstrong have retractable roofs.