FOOTBALL
Tide RB arrested
Alabama running back Tyren Jones has been arrested on a marijuana charge, the third arrest of a Crimson Tide football player in four days. Jones was charged Tuesday with possession of marijuana 2nd degree and released on $1,000 bond, Tuscaloosa police said in a news release. Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban had suspended Jones indefinitely on Feb. 10 "for conduct not to the standard of the Alabama football program." Safety Geno Smith and since-dismissed defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor were arrested on Saturday. Smith was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol for the second time in his Alabama career. Taylor, who had been dismissed from the Georgia team in July following a domestic violence arrest, now faces similar charges stemming from a separate incident in Tuscaloosa.
• Lawyers involved in the murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez say they expect the case to wrap up next week. The trial began Jan. 29 and was estimated to last six to 10 weeks. Prosecutors are still putting on their case against the former star tight end, who pleaded not guilty in the June 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd. Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancee. In court Tuesday, prosecutor William McCauley said he estimated he could rest his case Thursday. Defense attorney James Sultan then asked the judge to hear arguments on some pending issues Friday and said he expected to put on witnesses and finish Monday. Both sides will deliver closing arguments, then deliberations will begin.
GOLF
Woods in Augusta?
In the strongest indication that Tiger Woods might play the Masters, a newspaper reports that his private plane was spotted Tuesday at Augusta (Ga.) Regional Airport. The Augusta Chronicle reported Tuesday that a plane matching the tail number of Woods' Gulfstream G5 was parked at the terminal for private aircraft at the airport. A spokesman for Woods didn't immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press. Woods has not played since he withdrew at Torrey Pines in the first round on Feb. 5. He said a week later that his scores were not acceptable and that he wouldn't return until his game was tournament ready. Woods has fallen out of the top 100 in the world for the first time since 1996. The Masters starts April 9.
BASKETBALL
Durant has surgery
Thunder star Kevin Durant had bone graft surgery Tuesday for a fracture in his right foot, and the team expects he'll return to basketball activities in four to six months. The Thunder said in a statement that Durant had surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, with team medical personnel present. The league's reigning MVP had the third operation on his foot. The first procedure was last October, and he returned to play in December with some pain. A screw rubbing against another bone was removed in February, and Durant was expected to return in one or two weeks. The pain persisted, and Durant consulted three foot and ankle specialists. They agreed to the bone graft surgery after it was determined pain was from the rubbing, plus regression in the initial break. Durant appeared in just 27 games this season, averaging 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
• LSU sophomore forward Jordan Mickey, who led the nation with 3.65 blocks per game this season, has decided to forego his final two year with the Tigers and enter the NBA draft. "This was a tough decision because I hate to leave my teammates and LSU family. We have been through a lot in the past two years as we have grown as a team," Mickey said in a statement released by LSU on Tuesday. "After discussing my options with my family, I believe it is my time to move on and accept new challenges at the next level." The 6-foot-8 Mickey blocked 113 shots this season, with 107 blocks in 30 regular season games and six more in LSU's opening-round NCAA tournament loss to North Carolina State. Mickey, who'll turn 21 in July, averaged 15.4 points and 9.9 rebounds this season, but saw his production slip in the latter third of the season because of a left shoulder injury.
TENNIS
Murray wins 500th
Andy Murray's latest victory was especially sweet. The Scotsman was presented with a cake in a stadium ceremony Tuesday after he became the ninth active man to win 500 matches by beating Kevin Anderson 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 at the Miami Open. Murray, who improved to 500-155, is the 46th man to reach the milestone during the Open Era, and the first from Britain. The No. 3-seeded Murray, who won the Key Biscayne title in 2009 and 2013, will next play unseeded Dominic Thiem of Austria, who beat No. 28 Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-5. No. 8 Tomas Berdych advanced when No. 17 Gael Monfils fell and bruised his hip. Berdych was leading 6-3, 3-2 when Monfils retired. Berdych will next play unseeded Juan Monaco of Argentina, who beat No. 29 Fernandez Verdasco 6-3, 6-3. Verdasco was coming off an upset victory over Rafael Nadal. No. 6 David Ferrer beat No. 12 Gilles Simon 7-6 (5), 6-0. Ferrer will next face the winner of the match between four-time champion Novak Djokovic and Alexandr Dolgopolov. In women's play, No. 9 Andrea Petkovic became the first semifinalist when she beat No. 14 Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-2.
BASEBALL
Banks' will valid
A Cook County, Ill., judge has determined the will signed by Chicago Cubs great Ernie Banks that gives all of his assets to his caretaker is valid. Probate Judge James Riley confirmed the will on Tuesday after hearing testimony from two paralegals for the law firm that executed it. They said they witnessed the will's signing on Oct. 17. The witnesses testified Banks stated during the signing he was not going to leave money to his family. The witnesses also testified Banks' longtime caretaker, Regina Rice, was present at the signing. Banks' family maintains Rice coerced him into handing over his assets. The 83-year-old Banks died Jan. 23 of a heart attack.
MOTOR SPORTS
Newman’s team fined for tire manipulation
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR levied harsh penalties against Ryan Newman’s race team Tuesday after determining Richard Childress Racing manipulated the tires Newman used at Auto Club Speedway in California.
There had been rampant speculation throughout the Sprint Cup garage that teams were drilling tiny holes in their tires to allow air to escape during a race. The process is known as “bleeding tires” and NASCAR warned crew chiefs last week at Martinsville Speedway about penalties that would be levied against any team caught.
Newman was one of four drivers to have his tires taken by NASCAR after the March 22 race at Fontana. The tires were sent for an independent inspection, and NASCAR said Tuesday that Newman’s tires were found to have violated a rule that “bars any modifications to the tire or wheel, including the valve stem hardware, that is used to release pressure.”
Crew chief Luke Lambert was fined $125,000 and suspended for the next six races. The suspension also includes the All-Star race in May. Lambert was also placed on probation through the end of the year. Tire technician James Bender and engineer Philip Surgen also were suspended six races and placed on probation through Dec. 31.
Newman and car owner Richard Childress were docked 75 points each.
“NASCAR takes very seriously its responsibility to govern and regulate the rules of the sport in order to ensure competitive balance,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president. “We’ve been very clear that any modifications to race vehicle tires is an unacceptable practice and will not be tolerated.”
Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing, said the team was awaiting more information from NASCAR before deciding how to proceed.
Sports on 04/01/2015