Why wait until March for the madness?…Spartans rebound from loss in Germany
UNDATED (AP) — Duke and Kentucky, two of college basketball premier programs which have won 11 national titles, tangled in a rare November matchup at the Georgia Dome. Both teams hope to return there next spring when that arena hosts the Final Four.
On this night, the ninth-ranked Blue Devils beat third-ranked Kentucky 75-68 behind Seth Curry’s 23 points. The Blue Devils ripped off a 13-3 run, capped by Rasheed Sulaimon’s 3-pointer that made it 58-44 with 9 1/2 minutes remaining. Kentucky then outscored Duke 17-6 over the next six minutes to come within three. But Duke hung on to win the first meeting of these storied teams since 2001.
In other AP Top-25 action:
— Michigan State’s basketball team opened the season by traveling to Germany only to lose to an unranked Connecticut team. Tom Izzo’s team opened its stateside schedule by upsetting seventh-ranked Kansas 67-64. Keith Appling scored 19 points for the 21st-ranked Spartans. Freshman Gary Harris added 18.
— Tim Hardaway Jr. had 17 points and six rebounds, and No. 5 Michigan advanced to the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off with a 77-47 victory over Cleveland State.
__ The 13th-ranked UCLA Bruins nipped UC-Irvine 80-79 in overtime. Jordan Adams came off the bench and scored 26 for the Bruins, including 16-of-16 from the free throw line.
__ No. 14 Missouri clocked Alcorn State 91-54. Phil Pressey led four Tigers in double figures with 21.
— Shabazz Napier scored 13 points and freshman Omar Calhoun added 12 to lead No. 23 Connecticut to a 67-49 win over Vermont.
— Sean Kilpatrick scored 13 of his 20 points in the second half and in leading the 24th-ranked Bearcats to a 102-60 victory over Mississippi Valley State.
__ Jamaal Franklin scored 19 of his 28 points in the first half and had 12 rebounds as No. 25 San Diego State bounced back from a 13-point loss to No. 8 Syracuse by routing San Diego Christian 91-57 in their home opener.
AP source: Marlins send Johnson to Blue Jays…Cubs sign former Twin Baker
MIAMI (AP) — A fire sale appears to be going on with the last-place Miami Marlins.
A person familiar with the deal says the Marlins have undergone another payroll purge by trading shortstop Jose Reyes, left-hander Mark Buehrle and right-hander Josh Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a blockbuster deal.
The person confirmed the trade to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the teams weren’t officially commenting. The person said the trade sent shortstop Yunel Escobar and several of the Blue Jays’ top prospects to the Marlins.
The stunning agreement came less than a year after the Marlins added Reyes, Buehrle and closer Heath Bell in an uncharacteristic $191 million spending spree as they moved into a new ballpark. The binge raised high hopes, but the Marlins instead finished last in the NL East.
In other baseball news:
— The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract with former Minnesota Twins pitcher Scott Baker that guarantees $5.5 million next season. He underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery April 17 and missed last season after being limited to 23 appearances in 2011.
Johnson, Melvin win Manager of the Year awards
UNDATED (AP) — Davey Johnson of the Washington Nationals is the baseball writers’ choice for National League Manager of the Year. Johnson, who turns 70 in January, led the Nationals to their first NL East title and a major league-best 98 wins.
The American League honor goes to Oakland’s Bob Melvin, who edged out Baltimore’s Buck Showalter. Melvin led the club with the lowest payroll to 94 wins and an AL West division championship.
For both, it’s the second time they’ve been named manager of the year.
5-0 Knicks off to beat start since ’93…Lakers lose despite Kobe’s 28
UNDATED (AP) — The New York Knicks remain the only undefeated team in the NBA. The 5-0 Knicks spanked Orlando 99-89 behind Carmelo Anthony’s 25 points. J.R. Smith and Raymond Felton each added 21.
The Knicks’ 5-0 start is their best since Patrick Ewing and Co. started the 1993-94 season 7-0 and went to the NBA Finals.
The Magic have lost five straight.
In the rest of the NBA:
— Danny Green hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 9.3 seconds left, Tony Parker scored 19 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat Los Angeles 84-82. That’s the Lakers’ first loss since firing coach Mike Brown. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 28. New coach Mike D’Antoni is recovering from knee surgery and is expected to join the Lakers this week. The Lakers are 3-5.
— DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points and Jose Calderon had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Toronto Raptors over the Indiana Pacers 74-72.
__ Charlotte dropped Washington to 0-6 by beating the Wizards 92-76. Ramon Sessions scored 21 points as the Bobcats won back-to-back games for the first time since last December.
__ The Brooklyn Nets routed Cleveland 114-101. Deron Williams led the way with 26 points and dished out 10 assists.
__ Portland scored a 103-86 road win at Sacramento. Damian Lillard led the way with 22 points and nine assists.
Big Ben’s status uncertain with shoulder sprain
UNDATED (AP) — Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a sprained right shoulder and left Heinz Field with his arm in a sling. His status for Sunday’s showdown with AFC North rival Baltimore is uncertain. He was hurt in Monday night’s overtime win over Kansas City.
Veteran backup Byron Leftwich filled in and completed 7 of 14 passes for 73 yards.
Tomlin said safety Troy Polamalu remains doubtful with a right calf injury. Polamalu hasn’t played since a win over Philadelphia on Oct. 7.
In other NFL news:
— The Atlanta Falcons placed tight end Tommy Gallarda on injured reserve and signed wide receiver Tim Toone and tight end Chase Coffman to their active roster. The moves came a day after Atlanta released defensive end Ray Edwards.
__ Tampa Bay linebacker Quincy Black will miss the remainder of the season after injuring his neck making a tackle.
__ With Jay Cutler’s status uncertain, the Chicago Bears have signed veteran backup quarterback Josh McCown.