My Sports News Digest

Amidst all the shuffling among conferences, UNLV isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the Running Rebels — on the verge of a top-10 ranking — could soon become a legitimate West Coast power again. No, not like the days of Jerry Tarkanian. But Dave Rice is assembling quite a roster for next season after the addition of Pittsburgh transfer Khem Birch. Envision this starting five a year from now? Anthony Marshall, USC transfer Bryce Jones and freshman Katin Reinhardt on the perimeter with Mike Moser and Birch up front. Wow. That’s not just scary for the Mountain West. That’s scary anywhere. [...]

Read the full story

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut needed a spark Monday night, and the Huskies got one from their coach. UConn responded to a technical on Jim Calhoun by going on a 17-3 run, overcoming a 10-point second-half deficit to beat West Virginia 64-57. Jeremy Lamb had 25 points and eight rebounds and Andre Drummond added 20 points and 11 boards for UConn (13-3, 3-2 Big East), which snapped a two-game losing streak. “It was just a misunderstanding,” Calhoun deadpanned. “When that did happen, I told (my players), `If you aren’t going to fight, they may throw me out of here, but I’m [...]

Read the full story

Syracuse, one of three unbeaten teams in Division I, is on top of The Associated Press’ college basketball poll for the fifth straight week. The Orange received 60 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel. Kentucky, which got the other No. 1 votes, North Carolina and Baylor remained second through fourth. Ohio State moved up one spot to fifth and was followed by Michigan State, Indiana, Duke, Missouri and Kansas in the Top 10. Baylor and No. 15 Murray State are the other unbeatens. Creighton, which was out of the poll for one week, moved back in at No. [...]

Read the full story

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State sophomore guard Keala King has left the program. Sun Devils coach Herb Sendek announced Sunday that the team’s leading scorer will no longer be with the team. King has been Arizona State’s starting point guard this season with incoming freshman Jahii Carson ineligible. King averaged 13.7 points, but the Sun Devils (5-10, 1-2 Pac-12) have struggled with turnovers. King, fellow starter Kyle Cain and reserve guard Chris Colvin were all suspended for this weekend’s games against Southern California and UCLA for “unacceptable conduct.” The status of Cain and Colvin status with the team was not [...]

Read the full story

CBSSports.com wire reportsJan. 8, 2012 STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Jordan Hulls hit seven of No. 12 Indiana’s season-high 16 3-point field goals to help the Hoosiers snap a 16-game Big Ten road losing streak and hold on for an 88-82 victory over Penn State on Sunday. Hulls, a 6-foot guard, scooted around the perimeter all game for open looks and finished with 28 points for Indiana (15-1, 3-1). Down eight points with 1:22 to go, the Nittany Lions (9-8, 1-3) forced two straight turnovers to highlight a late run to get within 84-82 with 21 seconds left on two free [...]

Read the full story

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Marquette had rallied from a seemingly insurmountable deficit and was poised to put the first blemish on top-ranked Syracuse’s record. Dion Waiters wouldn’t allow it. With the Orange clinging to a 61-57 lead with just under 5 minutes to play, Waiters blocked a 3-point attempt by Darius Johnson-Odom from the top of the key and swooped downcourt for a fast-break layup as Johnson-Odom just failed to get back in time, and Syracuse held on for a gritty 73-66 victory Saturday over the 20th-ranked Golden Eagles. It was nice to escape after nearly blowing a 23-point first-half lead. [...]

Read the full story

CBSSports.com wire reportsJan. 7, 2012 SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Kris Joseph scored 17 points, Brandon Triche added 16, and top-ranked Syracuse remained unbeaten with a gritty 73-66 victory over No. 20 Marquette on Saturday. Syracuse (17-0, 4-0 Big East) is two wins away from matching the school’s best start, established a decade ago. Marquette (12-4, 1-2) entered the game 1-7 against the top-ranked teams. The Golden Eagles’ lone triumph was 83-69 over Kentucky in the 2003 NCAA tournament, which earned them a trip to the Final Four in New Orleans, where Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse to its lone national championship. The [...]

Read the full story

CBSSports.com wire reportsJan. 7, 2012 SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Kris Joseph scored 17 points, Brandon Triche added 16, and top-ranked Syracuse remained unbeaten with a gritty 73-66 victory over No. 20 Marquette on Saturday. Syracuse (17-0, 4-0 Big East) is two wins away from matching the school’s best start, established a decade ago. Marquette (12-4, 1-2) entered the game 1-7 against the top-ranked teams. The Golden Eagles’ lone triumph was 83-69 over Kentucky in the 2003 NCAA tournament, which earned them a trip to the Final Four in New Orleans, where Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse to its lone national championship. The [...]

Read the full story