FORMER MEMPHIS STAR ROSE CENTER OF NCAA INVESTIGATION
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson defended the men’s basketball program Thursday, saying the school checks out all potential players.
He would not confirm Derrick Rose, who led Memphis to the 2008 national title game, is at the center of an NCAA investigation of major violations during that season.
In a letter to the school, the NCAA says an unknown person took the SAT for a player, with his knowledge, and then the player used that test to get into Memphis. The NCAA said the athlete in question played for the Tigers in the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The only person who played just that season was Rose.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported someone with access to Rose’s academic records at Simeon High School changed a D to a C on his transcript. The newspaper reported that Rose was one of four athletes at the school whose grades were boosted for a one-month period after their June 2007 graduation and then changed back after the bogus transcripts were sent to colleges.
• The University of Kentucky countersued fired men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie, claiming it doesn’t owe him pay because he never signed a contract.
In his lawsuit, Gillispie is asking for $6 million in lost salary and undisclosed punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and court costs. Gillispie, who was fired March 27, was working under a seven-year memorandum of understanding but hadn’t signed a formal contract during the two years he coached the Wildcats.
Borel will ride in Belmont
NEW YORK — Jockey Calvin Borel will be back on Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes if Rachel Alexandra isn’t entered.
Chip Woolley, who trains the Derby winner, said he’ll wait until Rachel Alexandra’s co-owner Jess Jackson decides whether to run his Preakness-winning filly in the Belmont. The Belmont draw for post positions is Wednesday and the 1 1/2-mile race is June 6.
Scarponi wins Giro’s 18th stage
BENEVENTO, Italy — Michele Scarponi of Italy won the 18th stage of the Giro d’Italia, while overall leader Denis Menchov of Russia retained the overall lead.
Scarponi finished the 113-mile leg in 4 hours, 7 minutes, 41 seconds. All the overall leaders — as well as seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong — crossed with the main pack, 3:37 after Scarponi. Menchov holds a 26-second lead over Danilo Di Luca in the overall standings.
Footnotes.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s slump this season reached the breaking point as team owner Rick Hendrick replaced Tony Eury Jr., chew chief and cousin of NASCAR’s most popular driver, with Lance McGrew.
• ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso is recovering from a minor stroke but plans to be back for the start of the season this fall.
• Cuauhtemoc Blanco‘s penalty kick with seconds left in second- half stoppage time capped a late rally as the Chicago Fire remained unbeaten with a 3-2 victory over 10-man Chivas USA in MLS play in Carson, Calif.
Denver Post wire services
