LaFrentz Expected to Return Today

Center Raef LaFrentz, the leading scorer and rebounder for No. 3 Kansas, is listed as probable for today’s game against Texas Tech after sitting out nine games because of a broken right hand. LaFrentz was averaging 21.2 points and 11.4 rebounds before suffering the injury in practice Dec. 26. Kansas went 7-2 without LaFrentz and is 21-3 overall. The Jayhawks are coming off a 74-73 loss at Missouri.

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Lester Earl, accused of receiving $6,600 cash and other illegal inducements to sign at Louisiana State, has never requested or received anything improper since enrolling at Kansas, Jayhawk Coach Roy Williams said.

Earl transferred to Kansas after playing 11 games as a freshman for LSU. He sat out one calendar year before becoming eligible for the Jayhawks last month.

“We recruited Lester Earl when he was in high school. Lester never asked for nor implied that he wanted anything improper from KU,” Williams said.

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Former Georgetown point guard Ed Sheffey was in critical condition in an El Paso hospital, where he was being treated for injuries suffered in a car accident.

The Hoyas’ assist leader last season, Sheffey left Georgetown after being suspended from the team because of legal problems related to a traffic incident last year.