NCAA cites UConn men’s basketball program

Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun and the men’s basketball program he took from obscurity to national titles have been accused of eight major NCAA infractions, with investigators citing hundreds of improper calls and text messages from Connecticut staff members to recruits.

The school released a notice from the NCAA on Friday that lays out the allegations against the Hall of Fame coach, his staff and the school. Besides the calls and texts, the accusations include giving recruits improper benefits and improperly distributing free tickets to high school coaches and others. Calhoun is cited for failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance.

“It’s not exactly, certainly anywhere near the high point of my career; as a matter of fact, it’s certainly one of the lowest points at any time that you are accused of doing something,” said Calhoun, who has led the Huskies since 1986 and taken them to the Final Four three times. “It’s a very serious matter.”

The allegations come at the end of a 15-month investigation into the recruiting of former player Nate Miles, who was expelled from Connecticut in October 2008 without ever playing for the Huskies.

GOLF

Molder (62) leads Colonial

Bryce Molder shot a career-best eight-under-par 62 and leads after two rounds at the Colonial in Fort Worth.

Molder’s round Friday got him to 13 under. That’s good for a one-stroke lead over first-round co-leader Jason Bohn and two strokes better than Kris Blanks and Brian Davis.

Molder had a chance to match the course record of 61 but missed an eight-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole. The 31-year-old Molder, a four-time All-American at Georgia Tech, has split time between the PGA and Nationwide tours since his professional debut in 2002.

Phil Mickelson would have overtaken Tiger Woods for the No. 1 spot in the world ranking with a win at the Colonial. Mickelson instead missed the cut at four over despite two days of ideal scoring conditions at Hogan’s Alley.

Fred Couples shot a four-under 68 to take the lead at the Senior PGA Championship, one stroke ahead of Tom Kite at the Colorado Golf Club in Parker.

Couples was at seven under for the tournament after the best round of the day, despite teeing off in the afternoon, when the wind picked up after a morning lull.

Kite shot a second-round 69, with Tom Lehman another stroke back after a 71. Lu Chien-soon (70) and Jay Don Blake (69) are tied for fourth, three shots back.

ETC.

NCAA investigates Eric Bledsoe

The NCAA is looking into the academic history and recruitment of former Kentucky basketball star Eric Bledsoe, the New York Times reported.

The report posted on the Times’ website late Friday said the NCAA has sent investigators to several places in Alabama to ask about Bledsoe, who made himself available for the NBA draft after one season with the Wildcats. Bledsoe graduated from A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham.

The Times said most of the questions center on Bledsoe’s academic history, payments made for an apartment shared by him and his mother, and whether his high school coach demanded money from schools that were recruiting him.

The Ducks signed left wing Brandon McMillan to a three-year entry-level contract. McMillan, selected by the Ducks in the third round of the 2008 NHL draft, appeared in 55 contests last season with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League, collecting 25 goals and 67 points.

Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker filed for bankruptcy.

In Chapter 7 documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Florida last week, Walker reported having $4.3 million in assets and $12.7 million in liabilities.

Walker’s 2006 NBA championship ring, valued at $6,000, is included in a list of assets.

John Dangleis, the coordinator of Big West Conference men’s basketball officials for three decades, announced his retirement effective Sept. 30. He is the longest-serving coordinator among the NCAA’s 31 Division I conferences. He will be replaced by Bill McCabe, who also coordinates officials for the Pacific 10 Conference.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the Penguins will host the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on New Year’s Day, the fourth installment of the Winter Classic.

Jose Mourinho is set to coach Real Madrid in a deal finalized between two European soccer powers, leaving Inter Milan less than a week after guiding the Italian club to the Champions League title.