SPORTS: Midweek Roundup

NCAA Basketball
Nevada senior Nick Fazekas became the first player in school history to top the 2,000 point mark as the No. 20 Wolfpack won handily, 76-58, over St. Mary's on Tuesday … No. 18 Texas A&M thumped Fordham, 84-61, in Tuesday's only other Top 25 action.

NCAA Football
Troy Smith made the trip from New York to Columbus without the Heisman Trophy he won on Saturday, electing to ship the trophy home and fly solo. When Ohio State's Eddie George won the award in 1995, a finger was bent on the Heisman as it passed through airport security. "Eddie's finger got bent," Smith said. "I don't want that to happen to mine." … to the surprise of no one, Smith was also an AP All-American … he was joined by two teammates and other Big Ten players on the first team.

NBA
The 76ers still have not found a home for disgruntled star Allen Iverson and continue to lose leverage in a potential deal. It was rumored that Iverson shot down a potential deal that would send him to Charlotte, but both sides were quick to deny the rumor … Matt Barnes had 32 points and 11 rebounds to help lead the Warriors to a 126-113 home win over Sacramento, but it doesn't get much better than Andris Biedrins' fantasy line: 7-of-7 field goals, 6-of-6 free throws, 20 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three blocks … Luther Head, starting in place of the injured Tracy McGrady, scored 21 points and nearly led a fourth quarter comeback for Houston against the Lakers, but the Rockets fell at home, 102-94 … the Lakers lost forward Lamar Odom early in the contest when he sprained his right knee.

This Will Never Get Old


NFL
Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Joe Woods was charged with two counts of drunk driving on Tuesday. It was reported that Woods was driving his Yacht style party boat at reckless speeds. The prostitutes on board could not be reached for comment … Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper was placed on the IR on Tuesday, effectively ending his first season in Miami … the NFL Network will be available to fans with Cablevision and TimeWarner Cable providers for free from Dec. 24-30, with the hope of landing more subscribers. The funny thing is, no NFL games will be seen over that stretch, only the Texas Bowl and Insight Bowl games.

MLB
The Astros and Rockies completed a five-player deal on Tuesday, with Colorado sending RHPs Jason Jennings and Miguel Asencio to Houston for RHPs Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh and OF Wily Taveras. This doesn't strike me as a lopsided deal for either side, but if Houston fails to resign Jennings and Hirsh realizes his upside in Colorado, it has the potential to be … the Texas Rangers signed RHP Eric Gagne to a one-year deal worth $6 million, which is a very worthwhile risk to take in this market. If Gagne can return to health, Texas can really shorten games with the combination of Akinori Otsuka and Gagne in the bullpen … in more Rangers news, Texas continues its pursuit of LHP Barry Zito and, along with the Mets, is a favorite to sign the former Cy Young winner … Texas also signed RHP Paul Byrd and OF Kenny Lofton and scheduled a visit by Zito's former teammate LHP Mark Mulder.