Former Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino sues AdidasFormer Louisville coach Rick Pitino is suing Adidas and says the sportswear maker "outrageously conspired" to funnel money to the family of a Cardinal recruit without his knowledge. Pitino's lawsuit filed Tuesday comes a day after Louisville's Athletic Association fired him for cause after acknowledging the program's involvement in a federal bribery investigation of college basketball (Associated Press)
Recapping Kyrie Irving's quest to get everything right in BostonKyrie Irving is still trying to settle into his new home. Yes, there's plenty to work through here, both on and off the court, and yet one thing has been consistent with Irving since he first came to Boston last month for an introductory news conference: his smile. It's ever-present. He smiles throughout interview sessions, he smiles at the notion of what the Celtics might become. (ESPN.com)
Chansky’s Notebook: Murky State Of AffairsAlmost 20 years ago, when he was in high school, former Duke player Corey Maggette received money from an AAU coach who later went to prison. Duke claims it never knew Maggette was paid, and over the years no evidence of such has ever surfaced. But the FBI probe is showing signs that many of the 5-star college recruits are still getting paid by someone. (Chapelboro.com)
Why Adam Silver is right for calling for end of ‘one-and-done’ ruleNBA commissioner Adam Silver has observed a sudden shift in market trends in college basketball just as a massive scandal involving agents, coaches and shoe companies has overwhelmed the sport. The combination, he said Monday, will likely cause the end of the NBA’s “one-and-done” rule, which would dramatically alter how young basketball talent is developed while changing how college teams are built. (Yahoo! Sports)
Watch Syracuse football coach Dino Babers' speech after upset of No. 2 ClemsonSyracuse football coach Dino Babers has a reputation for giving a good speech. That became public knowledge after the Orange upset No. 17 Virginia Tech last season. Cameras captured his "Whose House" deliverance, which has now become a home victory tradition. So it was no surprise that after SU upended No. 2 Clemson Friday, the lights were on when Babers addressed his team. (Syracuse.com)
Louisville athletic board votes to fire Rick Pitino with 'just cause' for role in scandalThe University of Louisville fired basketball coach Rick Pitino on Monday, nearly three weeks after the school was implicated in a national bribery scandal. Pitino, who had been head men's coach since 2001 and led the team to a national championship in 2013, fought to keep his job, submitting a 53-page defense packet to the board of the university's Athletic Association. (NBC News)
FBI Investigation Into NCAA Leads to 28 Teams Conducting Internal Reviews of Their ProgramsThe spate of arrests, details of bribes to teenagers and the downfall of one of the sport's best-known coaches has triggered soul-searching among the institutions at the heart of college basketball, including internal reviews by more than two dozen schools of their own programs. Among the schools reviewing their programs are Arizona, Auburn, Oklahoma State and Southern California. (Associated Press)
Inside the Arena for the Vegas Golden Knights' Emotional Home OpenerThe night started with 58 seconds of silence. It ended with the hockey players wearing the gray sweaters skating around the center circle, sticks raised to acknowledge the home crowd, as “Viva Las Vegas” blared on the T-Mobile Arena speakers. In between, there were touching tributes, Cirque du Soleil dancers and 60 unforgettable minutes of game time. (Sports Illustrated)
Oklahoma City mayor declares every single day is now Russell Westbrook DayRussell Westbrook is going to be sticking around Oklahoma City for a long time, as the reigning MVP signed a five-year, $205 million extension with the Thunder on Friday. To show the city's appreciation, the mayor of Oklahoma City has declared that every single day is now Russell Westbrook Day. No, really, every single day. (CBS Sports)
Louisville hires Trent Johnson as assistant coach, fires Jordan FairLouisville and acting head coach David Padgett made some changes to the team’s coaching staff on Wednesday. Padgett added some stability to the coaching staff with the addition of veteran head coach Trent Johnson during the afternoon. Later on Wednesday evening, Louisville officially parted ways with assistant coach Jordan Fair. (NBC Sports)
Ex-Syracuse assistant Troy Weaver helped Thunder land Carmelo AnthonyOklahoma City Thunder assistant general manager Troy Weaver was an assistant coach during the season Carmelo Anthony played for Syracuse. Bill Simmons tweeted about the connection two months ago. Sports Illustrated‘s Lee Jenkins confirmed Weaver helped recruit Anthony. Fourteen years later, Weaver and Anthony will join forces yet again in Oklahoma City. (Hoops Hype)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. gifted championship-winning race car his father once droveDale Earnhardt Jr. asked that tracks didn’t give him any retirement gifts during this his final NASCAR season, preferring instead they do something to help others. But while Talladega Superspeedway may have ignored that request Friday, what they gave Earnhardt was something he greatly appreciated and certainly wasn’t going to turn down. (SB Nation)
Jeff Brohm explains how he honored Joe Tiller on Purdue’s first play vs. MinnesotaFormer coach Joe Tiller, who died Sept. 30, was a pioneer on the offensive side of the ball during his tenure at Purdue. One of his favorite plays was the bubble screen, where an inside receiver drifts outside after the snap and catches the ball near the line of scrimmage, ideally with blockers taking out the defensive backs in his path. (Land Of 10)
Miami defensive lineman plays air guitar with FSU QB James Blackman’s legMiami defensive lineman Kendrick Norton has an excellent sense of humor, which was on display during the Hurricane’s game Saturday against Florida State. Seminoles quarterback James Blackman found himself on the ground with a bunch of Miami players around and underneath him, including Norton.
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Saturday, October 14, 2017 Kansas' Self: Adidas case a "dark cloud on our profession'Kansas basketball coach Bill Self said during a lengthy interview Friday that the cash payments from Adidas surprised him, but "what is not surprising is third parties' involvement in recruiting. Everyone should know that. That's prevalent everywhere," he said. "There's nothing illegal about agents talking to kids and their families in ninth and 10th grade." (Associated Press)
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