College Basketball
Kentucky freshman Randle rolls the NBA draft dice
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky forward Julius Randle talked to a lot of people and took a lot of time before deciding to leave after one season for the NBA draft, where he is expected to be among the top five selections.
With five days left before the deadline for underclassmen to declare, the 6-9 Dallas native announced the decision many expected even before he arrived as part of Kentucky’s best recruiting class ever. Projected as a lottery pick from the outset, Randle solidified his draft stock by leading Kentucky (29-11) to the NCAA final behind a string of double-doubles despite being double- and triple-teamed.
Randle averaged 15.0 points and 10.4 rebounds and was voted to The Associated Press’ All-American third team.
Clemson junior McDaniels declares for the NBA
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Clemson junior K.J. McDaniels is leaving school for the NBA draft.
McDaniels, who led the team in blocks, points, rebounds and steals, announced his departure Tuesday.
In several NBA mock drafts, the 6-6 forward is projected as a middle-to-late selection in the first round. McDaniels twice scored 30 points in a game this season, averaging 17.1 points in 36 contests.
Tennessee hires Tyndall to fill its head coaching vacancy
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee introduced Southern Mississippi’s Donnie Tyndall as its next head coach.
The 43-year-old Tyndall went 56-17 with a pair of NIT appearances in two seasons at Southern Mississippi. Before coaching at Southern Mississippi, Tyndall went 114-85 with two NCAA Tournament appearances in six seasons at Morehead State.
Cycling
Bruyneel gets a 10-year ban from cycling by the USADA
Lance Armstrong’s longtime coach, Johan Bruyneel, was banned for 10 years on Tuesday for helping to organize massive doping on teams led by the disgraced cyclist.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced the verdicts of an American Arbitration Association panel against Bruyneel and two medical staff, completing its lengthy investigation which saw Armstrong banished from cycling in 2012.
Team doctor Pedro Celaya and trainer Jose “Pepe” Marti will serve eight-year bans.
NFL
For the first time in history, ESPN gets a playoff game
NEW YORK – An NFL playoff game will air on cable for the first time this season: The league said Tuesday that a wild-card matchup will be broadcast on ESPN in January.
As with “Monday Night Football,” the game will be simulcast on local channels in the teams’ home markets.
In the NFL’s new TV deals that start with the 2014 season, NBC exchanged one of its wild-card matchups for one in the divisional round. It hasn’t been determined yet whether NBC will show an AFC or NFC game in January.
Soccer
Manchester United manager fired after 1 of 6 years
MANCHESTER, England – David Moyes turned one of the world’s most storied and valuable sports brands into a mere also-ran in the space of 10 months.
Overwhelmed by the giant task of replacing Alex Ferguson, Britain’s greatest-ever manager, Moyes was fired by United on Tuesday after the 50-year-old Scot was less than a season into a six-year contract.
Manchester United is languishing in seventh place in the Premier League and guaranteed to miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 19 years.
Ryan Giggs, a club great who was on Moyes’ coaching staff and still is a member of the playing squad at the age of 40, will take temporary control until a permanent replacement is found.
Associated Press
