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Thunder G Ollie has knee surgery

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)—The Oklahoma City Thunder says guard Kevin Ollie(notes) underwentsuccessful “minor” surgery Monday to relieve pain in the patellar tendon inhis right knee.

Ollie has missed three games with the injury and is expected to be out up tofour more weeks.

Another Thunder guard, Kyle Weaver(notes), also was scheduled to have surgery onhis separated shoulder, an injury he suffered last week during practice.

Oklahoma City center Nenad Krstic(notes) missed his first game of the season Sundaywith soreness in his left Achilles tendon and forward Nick Collison(notes) missed hisfourth consecutive game with a sprained knee.

Guard Shaun Livingston(notes) has been sidelined following arthroscopic kneesurgery two weeks ago, but practiced Saturday and participated in the team’spractice on Sunday.

Bogut’s 22 and 15 in return lift Bucks

MILWAUKEE (AP)—Andrew Bogut(notes) felt the Bulls stole a game from the Bucks earlierthis year. The former No. 1 pick made sure it didn’t happen again.

Bogut returned from an injury with 22 points, 15 rebounds and two big blocksin the closing minutes to rally Milwaukee to a 99-97 victory over Chicago onMonday night after squandering another big lead.

The Bulls overcame an 18-point second-half deficit in the teams’ firstmeeting on Nov. 3 and won 83-81. In the rematch, Chicago rallied from a 14-pointhole in the third quarter to take a two-point lead in the closing minutes.

Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bo… AP – Nov 30, 10:57 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Ersan Ily… AP – Nov 30, 10:49 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bo… AP – Nov 30, 10:49 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Brandon J… AP – Nov 30, 10:44 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Ersan Ily… AP – Nov 30, 9:26 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bo… AP – Nov 30, 9:22 pm EST Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah… AP – Nov 30, 9:18 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Brandon J… AP – Nov 30, 9:16 pm EST Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah… AP – Nov 30, 9:14 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bo… AP – Nov 30, 9:14 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 9; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.7c7ab5208262419f88ece70b2fd49752.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=324&hc=360&q=70&sig=v3.7UV26HYFm3PFtgaAY1w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.91d1bdf7a7db411bbe5bc857f0b3ff74.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=78&yc=1&wc=257&hc=285&q=70&sig=wF0a2B7VJgxnsidWCjreag--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.c1264eaf84d94e6aa5b3f49ead7d0462.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=293&hc=326&q=70&sig=XxrBWvo.6r1gxRBQ3vB0JQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.6b39110522c145689aaad9b06c93be0a.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=351&hc=390&q=70&sig=ycod8wm9jw3kBENO0e2tuw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.78128303f2ca41f7bbaece5468ca3a9f.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=61&yc=1&wc=290&hc=322&q=70&sig=5OXxbBWWd0tO1zU7Knks5g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.22d809093ef846c8b3142e8bd604c10c.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=74&yc=1&wc=264&hc=293&q=70&sig=O1j6tjfD3S4KxuJYVdchvA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.1aa8424bb676459a86ae1285fde277e9.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=27&yc=1&wc=357&hc=397&q=70&sig=gEiPVFrV._S4HWt2sQIjyQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.0a41f80a70824b40b943433df5f6db3e.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=333&hc=370&q=70&sig=s4KEz6erHwlR7e_9XkEAyw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.b23193d2fe7b4d9b962dc818ae838cc4.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=301&hc=334&q=70&sig=OefutA9UMuKlMzviHD6drg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 10 Chi-Mil Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

But Brad Miller(notes) missed a shot at the buzzer that would’ve tied it afterDerrick Rose(notes), who had 17 of his 19 points in the second half, decided to pass upthe final opportunity in Chicago’s fifth straight loss.

“They stole one from us in Chicago and they had a chance to get back in it,too,” said Bogut, who fouled Miller in the first game for the game’s finalpoint. “He missed it tonight, so the basketball gods looked out for us.”

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said he called the pick-and-roll for Rose andthat it was executed correctly.

“Brad got a good look. They double teamed Derrick. Derrick swung and hemade the right basketball play,” the coach said. “The percentages will go inyour favor if you make the right play.”

But not this time.

Bogut was supposed to be out up to four weeks with a lower left leg strain.Instead, the 7-footer only missed six games and proved to be the spark Milwaukee(9-7) badly needed to snap a four-game losing streak. Bogut was slated to playabout 20 minutes, but ended up with 35.

“I’ll be sore tomorrow,” Bogut said. “I’ll get in the ice bath, do myrecovery and I should be all right.”

Carlos Delfino(notes) and rookie Brandon Jennings(notes) added 15 points each, butMilwaukee failed to protect a big second-half lead for the second straight game.

John Salmons(notes) had 23 points, Luol Deng(notes) 22 points and 14 rebounds and JoakimNoah(notes) 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Bulls, who rallied after trailing 70-56midway through the third.

The Bulls (6-9) had three days off after a blowout loss at Utah and finishedtheir circus road trip 1-5 after learning they’ll be without Kirk Hinrich(notes) for aweek or two with a sprained left thumb.

Chicago took an 89-87 lead with just over three minutes to play beforeJennings, Bogut and Charlie Bell(notes), who finished with 16 points, all had layups togive the Bucks a 93-89 lead.

Bogut then blocked two shots, swatting Deng on a dunk and turning aside alayup attempt by Rose. Salmons missed a 3 that would’ve tied it with 27 secondsleft and a free throw by Delfino gave Milwaukee a 96-92 lead.

“I wasn’t expecting all that, but he came back strong,” Jennings said.“It felt good to have him out there. He’s a big help, as you can see, with theinside presence, it just opens up the game for everybody else.”

Salmons hit a 3, Jennings answered with two free throws and Salmons dunkedto cut Milwaukee’s lead to 98-97 before fouling Bell with 7.1 seconds to play.

Bell hit the second of two free throws to finish 3 of 7 from the line andRose decided to pass to Miller, whose shot just grazed the front of the rim from18 feet as time expired.

“It was well within my range. I felt comfortable, and I just didn’t makeit,” Miller said.

Why didn’t Rose drive all the way to the hoop and try to draw contact?

“Part of me being the point guard was to pass that ball,” said Rose, whohad seven assists. “That’s why I did it.”

NOTES: Milwaukee blew a 15-point second-half lead in a loss to Orlando onSaturday night. … Bucks coach Scott Skiles said Jennings has had several toughshooting nights in a row, but said the rookie’s output is more “realistic” nowafter he made a splash by being the youngest person in NBA history to score atleast 50 points when he scored 55 on Nov. 14 in a win over the Warriors. …Chicago is 11-3 against Milwaukee since the start of the 2006-07 season.

Role players come up big as Hoyas cruise

WASHINGTON (AP)—Julian Vaughn and Jason Clark are making plenty of noisein their supporting roles for No. 16 Georgetown.

In his customary spotlight, Greg Monroe led the Hoyas with a season-high 19points and 11 rebounds, but Vaughn added a career-high 14 points and matched hiscareer best with eight rebounds and three blocks in Georgetown’s 83-62 win overMount St. Mary’s on Monday night.

Clark, after setting career highs for points in his previous two games,added 12 points and four steals. He was a key defensive weapon for the Hoyas(5-0), who built a 20-point cushion by opening the second half with an 11-2 run.

Mount St. Mary's Kristijan… AP – Nov 30, 10:04 pm EST Georgetown's Jason Clark g… AP – Nov 30, 10:04 pm EST Georgetown's Greg Monroe (… AP – Nov 30, 10:03 pm EST Mount St. Mary's head coac… AP – Nov 30, 10:02 pm EST Georgetown head coach John Tho… AP – Nov 30, 9:56 pm EST Georgetown's Jerrelle Beni… AP – Nov 30, 9:44 pm EST Georgetown's Chris Wright … AP – Nov 30, 9:36 pm EST Georgetown's Julian Vaughn… AP – Nov 30, 9:32 pm EST Georgetown's Henry Sims, r… AP – Nov 30, 8:26 pm EST Georgetown's Julian Vaughn… AP – Nov 30, 8:20 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 9; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.567ccf28396b4b29bc22161ec155126a.mount_st_marys_georgetown_basketball_vzn109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=281&hc=312&q=70&sig=GaWtHZh47IAkCWpVpbZYgg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.4087d6fe2efc4f89952afe32563dbb30.mount_st_marys_georgetown_basketball_vzn107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=278&hc=309&q=70&sig=JE1BLq4ePi7m42RHZS3M0A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.8d8bc708c721459c8c96a40bc96b71de.mount_st_marys_georgetown_basketball_vzn108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=257&hc=286&q=70&sig=oV_Xh1v02zGUb3K6Ltj3ew--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.35704cf77cae42b28d871b83808f96e5.mount_st_marys_georgetown_basketball_vzn106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=321&hc=357&q=70&sig=gP7j2WsdoRe9u.nZQRKOzQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.9ca47ea7e65e48d1a3648c3b5d4a92f8.mount_st_marys_md_georgetown_basketball_vzn105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=46&yc=1&wc=320&hc=355&q=70&sig=WZC5Gi9G8NwEsXRJPumosA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.2df69cbf65474dfe806676f11e4d17c0.mount_st_marys_georgetown_basketball_vzn104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=256&hc=284&q=70&sig=wlpBiCjtH2MsvVWtXhLybA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.a0a0a1f89f554d15b17b765cf9eb7fc5.mount_st_marys_georgetown_basketball_vzn103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=297&hc=330&q=70&sig=S1lFeEQMqJvHNSyX5pH4wA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.4ff3782d0bb046e28753bbcb654ae424.mount_st_marys_georgetown_basketball_vzn102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=330&hc=367&q=70&sig=pPmQ7U_TbEJy6qClL2BF2w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.b155548eba8d474b9831aefa385a8afc.mount_st_marys_georgetown_basketball_vzn101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=338&hc=376&q=70&sig=bwO6QfSbXLIMCoNM2J_.lQ--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 10 MSMC-Gtwn Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

“(Vaughn and Clark) are in their second year now,” Georgetown coach JohnThompson III said. “You see the growth, you see the development, you see theircomfort level is higher. Their teammates’ confidence in them and theirconfidence in themselves is better right now.”

Chris Wright scored a season-high 18 points for the Hoyas, who improved to21-5 against Mount St. Mary’s.

After the Mountaineers cut it to 55-44 with 9:30 left, Monroe scored sevenstraight points during a 17-5 Georgetown run to put the game away. The spurtstarted with a basket by Vaughn.

Jean Cajou scored 16 points and Tayvon Jackson added 11 for the Mountaineers(3-3), who turned the ball over five times in the first four-plus minutes of thesecond half. They struggled against the Hoyas’ size and tight perimeter defense.

“We played a very good team today,” Mountaineers coach Milan Brown said.“Their size was able to bother us sometimes on the open looks that we hadinside and they were still able to contest some of the shots that we had fromthe perimeter.”

Vaughn, a junior who transferred from Florida State before the 2008-09season, was the Hoyas’ best big man for much of the night. Thompson called him a“presence,” a phrase not often used during his first season with the team.

“(Last year) I put pressure on myself, but this year I definitely learnedto relax,” said Vaughn, who scored eight points in the second half. “I workedreally hard this summer and I think I’m just trying to make sure it pays off byrelaxing and playing hard.”

In a quickly played first half—only four combined fouls were called andone free throw was taken—the Hoyas outscored the Mountaineers 16-8 over thefinal 9:08 to lead 40-29.

Wright hit three from beyond the arc and paced the Hoyas with 11 pointswhile Monroe finished with nine points and seven rebounds. Cajou matchedWright’s point total, hitting all three of his 3-point attempts in the half, butthe Hoyas adjusted.

“For the second game in a row in the first half, we did not protect the3-point line,” Thompson said. “I think at the start of the second half ourguys did a very good job of that, covering for each other, closing out andmaking sure they didn’t get off shots.”

Georgetown concludes its three-game homestand Saturday against American,while Mount St. Mary’s continues a season-long seven-game road trip Thursday atRobert Morris.

Post-concussion symptoms plaguing Warner

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner(notes) said he plans to see anopthamologist about lingering post-concussion symptoms that kept him out ofSunday’s last-second 20-17 loss at Tennessee.

Warner said Monday he’s having hard-to-describe issues with his eyes, acondition he had hoped would subside last week but never did. He said theCardinals medical staff told him before Sunday’s game he shouldn’t play and heagreed.

The decision ended Warner’s string of 41 consecutive starts.

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He sustained the concussion in the second quarter of Arizona’s 21-13 victoryat St. Louis and didn’t play in the second half of that game.

Warner took all the first-string reps in practice last week but acknowledgedthat the eye issue persisted.

“I just think I hoped that it would get better and better throughout theweek, as we all did and were optimistic that it would be good enough to play,”he said.

Warner tried to describe the symptom.

“It’s not a visual issue where I’m foggy, where I can’t see or I can’tfocus on something,” he said, “but there’s a fogginess that’s kind of in andbehind my eyes, or on top of my eyes. It’s something that’s just not right. It’sjust not normal.”

He said he has unusual sensitivity to light, especially fluorescent light.

“Everything I look at there’s kind of a shadow that kind of follows itthat’s different than normal,” he said. “But this other feeling that I’vetried to explain and nobody can really grasp what it is, I don’t know if it’snecessarily related to that light sensitivity.”

Warner said he plans to start on Sunday night when the Cardinals (7-4) hostBrett Favre(notes) and the Minnesota Vikings (10-1).

“But again you’ve got to take it one day at a time,” he said.

Warner said he was seeing the eye doctor “to see if we can come to anyresolution if there’s something related with the eyes or something there thatwe’re not aware of.”

Warner, who passed all the necessary neurological tests, said he was honestwith the training staff and coach Ken Whisenhunt throughout the week as heexperienced neck tightness as well as the eye problem.

“Then we got together again on Sunday morning and although the necktightness was better, I was still having the issue with my eyes,” he said.“That’s when they said we don’t feel comfortable with you playing, and Icouldn’t argue with them because I knew I wasn’t right.”

Warner’s absence gave Matt Leinart(notes) his first start in more than two years.The former Heisman Trophy winner completed 21 of 31 passes for 220 yards with nointerceptions. In the second half, he was 13 of 16 for 137 yards.

“I thought he did a great job,” Warner said. “I thought he made some keythrows in some critical situations. He did everything he needed to do to put usahead with two minutes to go in the game.”

Leinart directed a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that put Arizona ahead17-13 with 12:27 to play.

“Kurt had texted me something before the game, `read and react,’ and that’swhen you play your best, when you don’t think about it, you don’t think twice,”Leinart said. “And that’s what I did in the game, I read it and just played,and let my ability take over.”

Leinart said he had about three hours to prepare once he knew he wasstarting.

“I’m hoping I probably get more reps this week just in certain situations,just so they have me more prepared,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going tohappen. Once again I’m going to assume Kurt’s playing, but I’m going to preparelike I’m starting.”

Whisenhunt defended the decision to give Warner his normal practice work asthe starter last week, despite the chance that Leinart might get the job.

“Kurt wanted his reps. He was doing well,” the coach said. “We felt likehe was getting better every day. That’s why we were preparing Kurt to play.”

Huskers seek upset in Big 12 title game

OMAHA, Neb. (AP)—Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has led the No. 21 Cornhuskersto a second straight nine-win season and into Saturday’s Big 12 championshipgame against No. 3 Texas.

An upset of the Longhorns at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, would putNebraska in a BCS bowl just two years after the Huskers hit bottom in BillCallahan’s final year. Some might say reaching the Big 12 title game putsPelini’s rebuilding job right on schedule.

“Well,” Pelini said Monday, “it’s behind schedule as far as I’m concernedbecause I was hoping to get there last year and it just didn’t happen.”

The Huskers tied Missouri for first place in the North Division in 2008 butlost the head-to-head meeting. This year, Nebraska (9-3, 6-2) won the North bytwo games.

Since a two-week stretch in which the Huskers suffered shocking losses athome to Texas Tech and Iowa State, they’ve rolled off five straight wins. One ofthe nation’s best defenses and strong special teams have covered for a scufflingoffense that ranks 92nd in the nation.

“Our best football is still out there to be played,” Pelini said. “Attimes we’re playing really well, other times we’re not as consistent. On anygiven day you have to be ready to do what’s necessary to win a football game,depending on the circumstances. We’ve been able to rise up and get that done,and we need to continue to do that Saturday night.”

The Huskers are two-touchdown underdogs. Regardless of the outcome, the41-year-old Pelini has done what athletic director Tom Osborne asked of him.

Osborne wanted a coach with strong defensive credentials, one who couldmotivate and inspire confidence in the players and one who understands thetradition of the program and its importance to the state.

Pelini, the defensive coordinator at Nebraska in 2003 and later at Oklahomaand LSU, has overseen the transformation of the moribund 2007 defense into aunit that this year ranked in the top 10 most of the season and was led byOutland Trophy and Lombardi Award finalist Ndamukong Suh.

Practices are much more rigorous than they were under Callahan, who gavestarters most of the work and emphasized repetition over teaching.

Pelini also has a grasp of the Nebraska tradition, which includes anNCAA-record 304 consecutive sellouts, an emphasis on winning without shortcutsand a reverence for the walk-on program developed by Bob Devaney and fostered byOsborne.

Texas coach Mack Brown said Nebraska’s glorious past made it difficult forhim to believe the Huskers would remain irrelevant for long on the nationalscene. And the coach said no one should forget that the Huskers went 9-5 in 2006and played in the Big 12 championship game.

“Nebraska is one of those programs that’s never going to be out of sightand mind long,” Brown said. “It’s one of those helmets—when you see the ‘N’or the Longhorn on it, everybody knows who they are. You don’t have to ask whois playing this weekend.”

Pelini said his job has been made easier by the quality of Nebraska’sfacilities and the administration’s support. But he still had to repair thepsychological damage from a steady diet of beatdowns in 2007—41-6 to Missouri,45-14 to Oklahoma State, 76-39 to Kansas.

The players began understanding and executing Pelini’s defensive system bythe middle of last season, and the Huskers won six of their last seven games,including an impressive win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

“I believe in culture and how you go about things—not necessarily whatyou do but how you do it,” Pelini said. “You have to build trust betweenplayers and coaches, build rapport and, beyond that, teach them well. We’ve beenable to do that.”

Now the Huskers are in position to win their first conference title since1999.

And not a moment too soon, according to Pelini.

“I came in here wanting to win football games and compete forchampionships,” Pelini said. “We have a chance to compete for one Saturdaynight.”

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Mike Stoops doesn’t want to face brother

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)—Memo to the Sun Bowl: Arizona coach Mike Stoops wouldrather not face his brother, Bob, and the Oklahoma Sooners in El Paso.

With speculation swirling about Arizona’s bowl destination, Mike Stoops saidhe hopes the Wildcats won’t have to play the Sooners in the Sun Bowl, one of twobowls pitting the Pac-10 and Big 12.

Mike Stoops said a bowl matchup between Arizona (7-4, 5-3 Pac-10) andOklahoma (7-5, 5-3 Big 12) would be “something we would try to avoid at allcosts.”

Pac-10 bowl pairings are expected to be announced on Sunday.

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Iverson, 76ers discuss possible return

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Allen Iverson(notes) and the Philadelphia 76ers have met to discussa possible return to the team.

Team president Ed Stefanski said in a statement that both parties remainnoncommittal about a final decision after a nearly two-hour meeting Monday inDallas. The 76ers are in town to play the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.

Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach EddieJordan and two other members of the organization during the first formal meetingbetween the Sixers and their former MVP.

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Stefanski said the Sixers “will continue to discuss internally whether ornot to pursue this course.”

The 10-time All-Star, who retired last week, is among the free-agentcandidates the Sixers are considering to replace injured point guard LouWilliams, who’s expected to miss eight weeks after jaw surgery.

Iverson announced his intention to retire last week after no other teamexpressed an interest is signing the four-time scoring champion. The 6-footIverson played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave ofabsence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreedto part ways.

The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson after he cleared waivers,before deciding he would take too much playing time from younger players theyare trying to develop.

Iverson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, played 10-plus seasonswith the 76ers. He was traded to Denver in December 2006, and was then dealt toDetroit early last season.

The 34-year-old Iverson, who has never won an NBA championship, wouldn’t bereturning to a winner in Philadelphia. The Sixers have lost six straight gamesand are 13th in the Eastern Conference under first-year coach Eddie Jordan.

Williams’ injury has paved the way for rookie Jrue Holiday(notes), the 17th pick inthe draft, to start.

Iverson had a bitter parting with the Sixers in 2006, making this a trulysurprising reconciliation. But both parties are in various states ofdesperation. The Sixers need a guard on the roster and an electrifyingpersonality such as Iverson to jolt sagging ticket sales. Iverson wants to provehe’s not finished yet and can still play at his All-Star level.

Iverson was joined by longtime business manager Gary Moore and agent LeonRose in the meeting. Rose did not immediately return a call for comment.

Sixers assistant general manager Tony DiLeo and assistant coach Aaron McKie(notes),a former Iverson teammate, also attended the meeting.

Iverson led the Sixers to the NBA finals in 2001. The Sixers have not won aplayoff series since 2003.

Alabama RB Ingram will play vs. Florida

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP)—Mark Ingram said his bruised hip is fine and he will“most definitely” be ready for the Southeastern Conference championship gameagainst No. 1 Florida.

No. 2 Alabama’s tailback was injured in the fourth quarter against Auburn onFriday and played a limited role on the Crimson Tide’s final winning drive in a26-21 win. Coach Nick Saban said the Heisman Trophy contender would practiceMonday but might be held out of contact drills.

Ingram was held to 30 yards on 16 carries against the Tigers, easily hisroughest outing of the season.

He said Auburn defenders made it hard for him to get any space by puttingeight or nine defenders near the line of scrimmage.

Ingram had an extra day to rest after the game and says his “body feelsgreat.”

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BYU QB Hall apologizes for remarks

PROVO, Utah (AP)—BYU quarterback Max Hall is apologizing for comments hemade after the Cougars beat in-state rival Utah.

After BYU’s 26-23 overtime win on Saturday Hall called the University ofUtah and its fans classless and said the school deserved to lose. He made theremarks in the midst of complaining about the way his family was treated by Utahfans at the 2008 game at Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium. Hall said fans dumped beeron his family and did a “whole bunch of nasty things.”

Hall issued a statement Sunday saying that in the heat of the moment he madecomments about the entire university and all its fans that were really directedat the fans from last year’s game.

The Mountain West Conference issued a public reprimand for Hall on Monday.

Bogut back with 22 and 15 to lift Bucks

MILWAUKEE (AP)—Andrew Bogut(notes) returned with 22 points, 15 rebounds and two bigblocks in the closing minutes to rally the Milwaukee Bucks to a 99-97 victoryover the Chicago Bulls on Monday night after squandering a big lead.

Brad Miller(notes) missed a shot at the buzzer that would’ve tied it after DerrickRose(notes), who had 17 of his 19 points in the second half, decided to pass up thefinal opportunity as Chicago lost its fifth straight.

Bogut was supposed to be out up to four weeks with a lower left leg strain,but the former No. 1 pick only missed six games and proved to be the sparkMilwaukee badly needed to snap a four-game losing streak.

Milwaukee Bucks' Ersan Ily… AP – Nov 30, 9:26 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bo… AP – Nov 30, 9:22 pm EST Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah… AP – Nov 30, 9:18 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Brandon J… AP – Nov 30, 9:16 pm EST Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah… AP – Nov 30, 9:14 pm EST Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bo… AP – Nov 30, 9:14 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 5; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.78128303f2ca41f7bbaece5468ca3a9f.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=61&yc=1&wc=290&hc=322&q=70&sig=5OXxbBWWd0tO1zU7Knks5g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.22d809093ef846c8b3142e8bd604c10c.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=74&yc=1&wc=264&hc=293&q=70&sig=O1j6tjfD3S4KxuJYVdchvA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.1aa8424bb676459a86ae1285fde277e9.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=27&yc=1&wc=357&hc=397&q=70&sig=gEiPVFrV._S4HWt2sQIjyQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.0a41f80a70824b40b943433df5f6db3e.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=333&hc=370&q=70&sig=s4KEz6erHwlR7e_9XkEAyw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091201/capt.b23193d2fe7b4d9b962dc818ae838cc4.bulls_bucks_basketball_wimg102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=301&hc=334&q=70&sig=OefutA9UMuKlMzviHD6drg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 6 Chi-Mil Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Carlos Delfino(notes) and rookie Brandon Jennings(notes) added 15 points each, butMilwaukee failed to protect a big second-half lead for the second straight game.

John Salmons(notes) had 23 points, Luol Deng(notes) 22 points and 14 rebounds and JoakimNoah(notes) 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Bulls, who rallied after trailing 70-56midway through the third.

Chicago had an 89-87 lead with just over three minutes to play beforeJennings, Bogut and Charlie Bell(notes), who finished with 16 points, all had layups togive the Bucks a 93-89 lead.

Bogut then blocked two shots, swatting Deng on a dunk and turning aside alayup attempt by Rose. Salmons missed a 3 that would’ve tied it with 27 secondsleft and a free throw by Delfino gave Milwaukee a 96-92 lead.

Salmons hit a 3, Jennings answered with two free throws and Salmons dunkedto cut Milwaukee’s lead to 98-97 before fouling Bell with 7.1 seconds to play.

Bell hit the second of two free throws and Rose decided to pass to Miller,whose shot was well short from 18 feet as time expired.

The Bulls (6-9) had three days off after a blowout loss at Utah, butfinished their circus road trip 1-5 and learned they’ll be without Kirk Hinrich(notes)for a week or two with a sprained left thumb.

Milwaukee (9-7) led from the start, but after blowing a 15-point second-halflead in a loss to Orlando on Saturday night, squandered a 14-point advantagebefore Bogut helped the Bucks rally.

NOTES: Besides Hinrich, the Bulls are also missing Jerome James(notes) (rightAchilles) and Tyrus Thomas(notes) (left arm fracture). … Bucks coach Scott Skilessaid Jennings has had several tough shooting nights in a row, but said therookie’s output is more “realistic” now after he made a splash by being theyoungest person in NBA history to score at least 50 points when he scored 55 onNov. 14 in a win over the Warriors. … Chicago is 11-3 against Milwaukee sincethe start of the 2006-07 season.

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