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Show a DAILY AT BRIEFING MEN'SCOLLEGE BASKETBALL HERALD e= Simon family, they have been tremendous, not only to myself, but to my family I've been surrounded by lot of love. ON THE AIR Gamecocks trump pation to earn second straight NIT title Television NEW YORK — South Carolina certainly didn't begin the season hoping to repeat as NIT Peete The Gamecocks were, however, happy to end it 0 NBA intends to ban tights next season: After instituting a “business casual” dress code and cracking down on the length of uniform shorts, the NBA has that way and become only the second school to win Formulaqualifying __‘SPD_ p.m. identified its next fashion crusade. League and team sources have told ESPN.com that the NBA,starting next season, intends to ban the Tarence Kinsey scored 21 points and Tre’ Kelley added 20 points and sevenassists to help South Carolina beat Michigan 76-64 on Thursday night. Griffin vs. Jones Golf 7pm. ESPN2 eral players,including three MVP candidates: Kebe Algarve Open 7am. TGC BellSouth Classic 2pm. USA Kraft Nabisco Champ. 3 p.m. a _4 p.m. late run at an automatic bid before losing the Southeast- ern Conference title game 49-47to Florida. Backin the NIT, the Gamecocks made the most of Puerto Vallarta Classic MLB Preseason St. Louis vs. N.Y.Mets Chi. Cubs vs. San Diego it and joined St. John’s, which won in 1943 and 1944, NBA ships. Kentucky was the only other team to play in Memphis vs. New Orleans 6 p.m. Utah at L.A. Clippers 8:30 p.m. ESPN KJZZ Lawyers: DNA will dear Dukelacrosse LA. Lakers at Seattie 8:30 p.m. ESPN DURHAM, N.C. — The lawyers for Duke men’slacrosse players said Thursday that police and an out- Pacers hang Miller's No.31 in the rafters Tennis NASDAQ-100 Open NASDAQ-100 Open ip.m. 5 p.m. INDIANAPOLIS — The chantof “Reg-gie! Reggie!”filled Conseco Fieldhouse one moretime. Radio NASCAR consecutive NITtitles. state,” Gamecocks coach Dave Odom said. With four starters back from last year’s NIT champs, the Gamecocks began the season with hopes to graduate to an NCAA tournamentberth this season. That didn't work out, though South Carolina (23-15) made a as the only teams to win back-to-back championconsecutive championship games (1946-47). NBA The cheer tang out frem the full house Thursday night as Reggie Miller, surrounded by his four siblings, pulled a rope that raised a No. 31 banner into the rafters as the Indiana Pacers retired his jersey number. The halftime ceremony started with video highlights of Miller's career, and the chant that was heard “I never imagined that I would earn my way to anyone's rafters,” he said. Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh, who was greeted with boos when he drafted the skinny UCLA guard in 1987, credited Miller with leading the team to respectability after years as an NBAalso-ran. “You catapulted us into the elite of the NBA,” Walsh told Miller during the ceremony. “You havebeen the 1:30 p.m. SPD A “It means lot to our team.our university, our after many ofhis clutch long-rangeshots began even before he had a chance to speak. juaii tights sported at various points this season by sevBryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. 11 a.m. 8 p.m. ESPN WGN ESPN2 ESPN2 Although NBA officials are not publicly commenting on the issue, sources say that the league simply does not like the look of players wearing visible hose. It’s believed that the league office, which already has regulations in place to curtail short lengths, can unilaterally outlaw tights by simply amending its uniform code before the 2006-07 season. COLLEGE players raged community will owe the team an apology after DNA tests are completed — tests they said will prove no one on the team raped an exotic dancer. Four attorneys representing nearly all the 46 play- Baseball BYU vs. New Mexico Noon NBA Utah at L.A. Clippers 8:30 p.m. 1320 AM 960 AM heart andsoul of this franchise for 18 years, and No. 31 deserves to goup withthe best of best.” Miller spenthis entire career with the Pacers and credited Walsh, team president Larry Bird, team owners Melvin and Herbert Simon and the fans for making his stay special. “It's been an unbelievable 18-year career here,” he said before the game. “From Donnie to Larry to the ers forced to give samples protested what they said was a presumption that their clients attacked the dancer or kept quiet about what happened. No one has been charged. “Webelieve that the DNA will show that that this not true. Webelieve that a full and complete and fair investigation will show thatit is not true,” lawyer Joe Cheshire said. Investigatorsarestill collecting evidence,but District Atforney Mike Nifong has said in recent days he already believes a crime occurred. Even if the state crimelab’s DNAanalysis proves inconclusive or doesn’t provide a match forany ofthe athletes, Nifong has said he'll have other evidence. “If the only thing that weever havein this case is DNA,then we wouldn't have a case,” Nifong said Wednesday. BONDS WILL KNOW JUSTICE, NOT FROM MLB or all the huffing and puffing he did Thursday,the only house Bud Selig will blow downin the end is his own. Hecan't really get Barry Bonds, the prime suspect in the book that finally convinced the commissioner there was a problem. He won't be able to stop the Giants slugger from hitting home runs once the season starts, and there's no guarantee he can suspend him. He can't wipe out records or take back his MVP awards, and he can’t even make Bonds talk to his new investigative panel, sincethe ballplayeris every bit as lawyered up as baseSo what's the point? “Integrity,” Selig said. “Integrity,” echoed former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who is heading the investigation. Now that'srich. Baseball finally decides to investigateits performance-enhancing past, and the guy leading it just happens to be a director of the Boston Red Sox — not to mention chairman of The Walt Disney Si whose ESPN subsidiary is MLB’ national broadcast partner ae MAJORLEAGUE BASEBALL Steroids John Dowd,the Wash- Continued from C1 director of the Florida Marlins and served on an economic study committee Selig appointed in 1999. He said he previously announced he would leave the Disney board by the end ofthe year. “I've assured the Red Sox owners that should any matter arise, anybodyaffiliated with the Red Sox will be ington lawyer who headed baseball's investigation of Pete Rose’s gambling in 1989, did notlike the choice. “Mitchell doesn't have a great track record with me. It doesn't looklike he's independent,” Dowdsaid. Sen.Jim Bunning, a Kentucky Republican and baseball Hall of Famer,alsocriticized Mitchell. “While George Mitchell is certainly a man ofgreat treated exactly as will any- integrity, I believe that baseball would have been wiser Conte lease from Taft Correctional Institution, about 40 miles southwest of Bakersfield, according to spokeswoman Mandy Ruff: About five hours later, Conte arrived at green two-story house in San’Mateo, about 20 miles south of San Francisco, ina white sportsutility vehicle with darkened windows. Wearing blue jeans, a red sweatshirt and a baseball cap, Contesaid “it feels great” to be out of prison. He said prison was “like a men’sretreat,” during which he read, gave music lessons to fellow inmates, oneelse,”he said. Continuedfrom C1 Leader GeorgeMitchell will lead an investigation into the claims. “T plan to provide evidence in the near future to prove that muchof whatis writtenin the bookis untrue,” Contetold the AP. Hedeclined to list specific inaccuracies or what evidence he would provide,butsaid the bookis “about the character assassination of Barry Bonds and myself.” “It’s my opinion that the two writers of the book have a diseasecalled fabrication-itis,” Contesaid, holding a copy of “Game of Shadows”as he stood onhis front steps. The book's authors, Lance Williams and Mark FainaruWada,wereon an airplane Thursday and not ayullie for comment. Lisa Johnson, a spokeswoman for Gotham Books, which published “Game of Shadows,” said: “Gotham Books stands by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada, and westand by their research.” “Westand by the report- ing that Mark and Lancedid throughout this story andin all the stories that were published in the paper,” Chronicle executive vice president and editor Phil Bronstein said. “And if and whenMr.Conte speaks further about this, I'm sure we'll report about that as well.” Conte was picked up by his family after his 5:30 a.m.re- coached a sprinting team and participated in a debate about steroids. _ Conte founded and managed the Burlingame-based BALCO, wherethe steroids weresold. He pleaded guilty to money laundering anda steroid distribution charge, and dozens of other,charges were dropped as part ofhis plea deal. Conte was sentenced in Octoberto four months in prison and four months’ home confinement in a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Baseball investigators could seek to interview Conte about steroid use in the game. Bonds, who has denied using steroids, was the most prominentathlete linked to BALCO. Hetestified in December 2003 to the federal grand jury inyestigating the case but has not been charged with a crime. Other baseball players linked to BALCO include New York Yankees stars Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield. 9” (Now Open in Orem 1666 South State * 801.221.7494 Riverdale 5360 S. Freeway Park Dr. © 801.825.4009 House te S © 801.487.8233 Rep. Henry Waxman, a Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer — and Charles Scheeler, a former federal prosecutorcurrently at Mitchell’s law firm, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary. California Democrat who by Bonds and other baseball Collins is a former U.S. At- helped lead a congressional hearinglast year on steroids in baseball, praised the probe. stars. torney and Carlucci a former assistantU.S. attorney. “This is precisely what I had asked MLB to dolast year,”he said. “Finding out the truth about the depth and breadthofthis problemis the only wayto close the book on this sad chapter of the “I believe the timing on this propergiven the charges, given the specificity of the chargesforthefirst time,” Selig said. Mitchell will be assisted by Jeffrey Collins and Thomas Carlucciof Foley & Lardner — thelaw firm of “Should Sen. Mitchell uncover material suggesting that the scope ofthis investigation needs to be broader, he has my permission to exand the investigation and to follow the evidence wherever it maylead,” Selig said, Sheets goes on disabled list ASSOCIATED THE PRESS SPRING TRAINING Ben Sheetsis on the disabled list, leaving the Milwaukee Brewers without their aceforthe first week of the the ieeeoe right-hander said he could miss most. of the season. The Texas Rangerswill be missing No. 2 starter Adam Eaton for much longer. After straining a muscle in his upper back during a March9 spring training game, Sheets was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday. The movewas retroactive to March 24 andhe will be eligible to comeoff the DL monthoflast season because of an injury to a different back muscle, threw about 60 pitches in a simulated game at the Brewers’spring training cot it nix on Tuesday. — 5 “Everything’s going good Tight now — really good,” he said. The Brewerswill go with a four-man rotation to start the season andhope to have Sheets back later in April. DougDavis will start when Milwaukee opens its season at home Mondayagainst Pittsurgh. ‘ Eaton could be out of the Rangers’rotation for one to three months witha strained tendon in the middle finger on his pitching hand, the same season with San Diego. “I'd be happy if someone said he could come back by May1,” Texas manager Buck Showalter said Thursdayin Surprise,Ariz. “The trouble season. “| still haven't beenable to find a baseball neyyehas hadthis,” Eaton think about elbows, Seer ankles, knees, but this is definitely a different thing.” An MRI was taken Wednesday, but Showalter said doctors wanted to compareit with others they have in Arlington, Texas, before ing final judgments. “This could be long-term, but it could be a three-week thing,” Showaltersaid. “I’m still hoping forthe best.” also be without a key pitcher whenthe season starts — for a different reason. Reliever Julian Tavarez was suspended for 10 days Thursday andfined for his role in a brawlthis week. Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in chargeof dis“violent and unsportsmanlike actions” during Monday's game against the Devil Rays. Tavarez punched Tampa Bay’s Joey Gathright lh lightly on the jaw after a play at homeplate. would’start next Monday, when Boston playsits season opener, unthe players’ association “I’m little surprised,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said in Fort Myers, Fla. “It aelike lot.” lon general cian ane‘KeithMMeertold e “ aneFia., the Baltipdt temporarily trying to convert iyLopez from a catcher to first baseman. anwe really were hoping he would do little better defen- , Eaton said he might “But as the games got going, he’d make a mistake and let it compound. he'd weekly TV show. Imagine how tough Mitchell will be grilling Selig or the owners who fiddled with profits while baseball burned. The commissionerfigures it couldn't be nearly as damaging as the testimony he and a handful of employees were compelled to give before a congressional hearing last March. That’s when Mark McGwire fidgeted, Sammy Sosa spoke Spanglish, Rafael Palmeiro wagged a finger in lawmakeis’ faces and Jose Canseco wouldn’t shut uj “What I'm hearing,” the former MVP and best-selling author said at the time,“is that I’m the only personin the major leagues who used steroids.” Far from it — andthis is where things could get interesting. Putting Mitchell in charge was astroke of genius in one respect: His years as an insider and his work heading upfact-finding missions as far afield as Northern Ireland and the Middle Eastce keep his formercolleagues Congress off baseball's backfora while. But it won't impress Bonds or BALCObuddies Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield. They're already in waytoo deep. — because the Orioles signed Norwill Mitchell's reputation forfair-mindedness hold any sway with McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro and Ortoles 7, Martins 2: At Jupiter, Fla. Kevin Millar pitchers who figured they got out Just in time. They madetheir peace with cheating long ago. Unlike MLB,Congress has both subpoena free-agent catcher Ramon Hernandez during the offseason. In spring training games: all the other supersized hitters and powerand the Justice Department within reach, and as McGwire so memorably said repeatedly back “I'm not going to talk about the Indians 6, Tigers 4: At Winter Haven,Fla, Travis tater mts tna toma nae Weak pt Bere apeganes ee, ‘00 shots fo he ngians, bunJay2, Pies 0: At CaraFi. sn scoreless cipline, cited Tavarez for Theo Epstein said did't isha ifthe ion would be out up to three months.If he ends up having surgery, be thinking so much about his fielding that his hitting suffered. And then he had both things going against him, and neither one of them was up to standard.” Lopez was batting .139 through Wednesday. He was moved tofirst base — a position he neverplayed before The Boston Red Sox could is, thereis nothing in baseball toeaethis eyto.” a. golf game's history.” Selig's decision came soon after “Game of Shadows,” a book by two San Francisco Chronicle reporters detailing alleged extensive steroid use to pick someone who is not as close to the game and may be able to take a more objective look into the facts,” Bunning said. injury that sidelined him last Laddie Extreme Golf Balls just cut a deal with Bonds for a week, struck out ‘Tun and five hits. Herote ‘ren cone woe - 2 Ac 11, Dodge 3: Kise,Fa,Ay Baseball didn't even have a real drugpolicy until September 2002, andits agreement with the union pie poeime Di payers for Utes ansgressions alm Thats's why Selig waned the he limited to events since September 2002, though he added, “Should Senator Mitchell uncover material suggesting the scope should be broader, he has my permission to follow theevidence whereverit maylead. So here’s a good startit it: Just oe those sialic ‘ings, San Diego Padres aecee Kevin Towers acknowledged looking the other way whenclear evidence of steroid use by oneofhis players, Ken Caminiti, was right before his eyes. Caminiti, a former MVP andt the first player to admit juic-’ ing,died the previous October of a drug overdose at age 41. In an interview, Towers discussed his guilt about doing nothing to stop the abuse. He hedged on some things and threw qualifiers, but his words stale aclear of baseball insiders’ vers came back from the eaame 1994 strikeall muscled up and dying to Please: “Weallrealizedthat there were the game. ithak Seales ee wedidn’t say anything about it.” Atanotherpoint, he added, “I hateto be the one voice for the See LITKE, C4 |
