USC Loses Dupree Because of His Academic Troubles

Jerry Dupree’s star-crossed basketball career at USC is finished because of academic shortcomings, sources close to the program confirmed Friday.

Dupree, a forward who was suspended by Coach Henry Bibby for the first seven games of last season to help him concentrate on his studies and was often kicked out of practices, would have been a senior this fall. He did not return phone calls for comment. Bibby, reached in New York, would not comment on losing Dupree.

With an open scholarship and the late signing period over, USC has the option of either holding it for a possible transfer or awarding it to a walk-on.

Bibby also has an open spot on his coaching staff after assistant Damon Archibald left for Iowa State. He wants to have someone in place by July 7, when schools can begin recruiting.

-- Paul Gutierrez

Jurisprudence

Five Big East schools sued Miami, Boston College and the Atlantic Coast Conference, painting the ACC’s expansion plans as a secret conspiracy that would ruin the programs left behind.

The defendants concocted a “deliberate scheme to destroy the Big East and abscond with the collective value of all that has been invested and created” in the conference, according to the lawsuit.

The five schools -- Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Rutgers and Connecticut -- have the football programs that would remain if Miami, Boston College and Syracuse leave. They seek financial damages and want an injunction to keep Miami and Boston College in the Big East.

Former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson could face another gambling trial after a jury could not reach a verdict Friday. A mistrial was declared when the jury deadlocked, 5-1 for conviction.

Northwestern University wants the family of football player Rashidi Wheeler, who died during a 2001 workout, to hand over items taken from his locker after his death.

The school filed a motion in Cook County (Ill.) Circuit Court claiming that Wheeler’s relatives have ignored repeated requests to let Northwestern’s attorneys examine the contents of the locker.

Wheeler collapsed and died Aug. 3, 2001, after participating in a conditioning drill. His parents sued Northwestern, claiming officials had not given their son proper medical treatment.

WNBA

Andrea Stinson scored 17 points and Tammy Sutton-Brown had 16 points and eight rebounds to lead the Charlotte Sting to a 69-58 victory over the Houston Comets in front of 6,581 at Charlotte, N.C.... Chasity Melvin had 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Cleveland Rockers over the Washington Mystics, 63-53, in front of 18,133 at Washington.... Becky Hammon scored a career-high 33 points, including six three-pointers, to lead the New York Liberty to a 70-60 victory over the Minnesota Lynx in front of 5,421 at Minneapolis.

Miscellany

University of Washington football Coach Rick Neuheisel told assistant coaches and players that he would fight to keep his job, a day after acknowledging participating in NCAA basketball pools. University officials were in meetings all day Friday discussing Neuheisel’s future. No statement was expected until Monday at the earliest.

Quarterback Brian Griese agreed to a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, according to his agent, Ralph Cindrich, ending a weeklong courtship that began after Griese was released by the Denver Broncos.

Miami Dolphin officials have not confirmed the deal.

Tomas Scheckter won the pole for tonight’s Indy Racing League event at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth and will share the front row with Scott Dixon, his Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate. Scheckter qualified at 219.300 mph, and Dixon was at 218.654 mph.... Jimmie Johnson won his first pole position of the season and fifth of his career with a fast lap of 170.645 mph in his Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pocono 500 at Long Pond, Pa. Ryan Newman was second in his Dodge for the NASCAR Winston Cup race at 170.51 mph....Brendan Gaughan recorded his third consecutive NASCAR truck race victory at Texas Motor Speedway. Shawna Robinson, who had the first all-female pit crew, finished 18th.