UConn proposes penalties, no tourney ban (AP)
The University of Connecticut has proposed reducing the number of games it will play next season if the NCAA grants a waiver to allow the Huskies to play in the 2013 men’s basketball tournament. The school currently is barred from the NCAA tournament, a penalty for years of below-standard academic results, but it requested a waiver last month.
Air Force fires coach Reynolds (AP)
Air Force has fired Jeff Reynolds as men’s basketball coach after five seasons. The school announced the decision Wednesday. The (Colorado Springs) Gazette first reported the firing. Assistant coach Dave Pilipovich will step in as the interim coach. Under the 55-year-old Reynolds, the Falcons are 11-10 this season with a 1-6 mark in the Mountain West Conference.
Memphis accepts invite to Big East (AP)
The Big East has acquired all the pieces needed to build a new coast-to-coast conference. Putting them all together, though, is going to take a while. The conference wanted to rebuild itself into a 12-team football league that can hold a championship game, and Memphis officially became that 12th member on Wednesday when it accepted an invite it has long coveted.
Calhoun feeling better but still out (AP)
Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun will miss Saturday’s game against No. 2 Syracuse while on an indefinite medical leave of absence because of spinal stenosis, a painful condition in his lower back. The school announced Wednesday that Calhoun would not be at the game at Syracuse. He missed last Saturday’s win over Seton Hall and Monday’s loss at Louisville.
No. 17 Creighton loses second straight (AP)
Creighton coach Greg McDermott rubbed his eyes, looking for an answer as to why his team is suddenly struggling. His son, Doug, is just as perplexed after a second straight sub-par shooting game. Evansville’s Colt Ryan hit a 17-footer to break a 56-56 tie with 3:08 to play, and the 17th-ranked Bluejays blew a seven-point second-half lead in a 65-57 upset Tuesday night.
Buford powers No. 3 Ohio St. by Purdue (AP)
With two starters on the bench and the score tied late in Tuesday night’s game with Purdue, No. 3 Ohio State needed its most experienced player to take control. And that’s what William Buford did. Buford, the only senior on the roster, scored a career-high 29 points and capped his night with a pivotal dunk in the final minute to lead the Buckeyes past hot-shooting Purdue 87-84.
Rolling Tar Heels host No. 10 Duke (AP)
While North Carolina is on a roll, Duke is hoping to regain its focus and intensity in time to face its ACC archrival. The No. 10 Blue Devils look to avoid dropping consecutive games for the first time in three years while trying to prevent the fifth-ranked Tar Heels from a sixth straight win Wednesday night in Chapel Hill.
Syracuse, Hoyas ready to resume rivalry (AP)
The Syracuse-Georgetown rivalry is one that has withstood the test of time in the Big East. The conference has changed in so many ways over the years, and continues to, especially with Syracuse headed for the Atlantic Coast Conference. But for so long, there has always been the Orange and the Hoyas. And on Wednesday night, another chapter will be added.
No. 7 Kansas at No. 6 Baylor for rematch (AP)
Baylor coach Scott Drew was talking about the challenge of facing Kansas again and what to do differently this time when Brittney Griner, the 6-foot-8 blocking phenom for the top-ranked Lady Bears, briefly walked into the room. Somebody jokingly asked Drew if she might be his secret to countering Kansas forward Thomas Robinson.
Big East looking to add Memphis (AP)
A person familiar with the talks says the Big East is in discussions with Memphis about the Tigers joining the conference in all sports. The Tigers likely would join in 2013 when Houston, Central Florida and SMU from Conference USA already are set to join the Big East. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Tuesday because talks were ongoing between Memphis and the Big East.