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^COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Top four teams in action on the same court
NEW YORK (AP) _ The nation’s top-ranked college basketball teams tonight will get an idea of just how well they measure up against each other in the opening week of the season.
Third-ranked Kansas meets number-four Duke at the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York, a matchup that will be followed immediately on the same court by top-ranked Michigan State against second-ranked Kentucky.
The games have the attention of the NBA. Champions Classic media coordinator Charley Green estimates that 60 to 70 NBA personnel will attend to watch the nation's top four teams under one roof.
In other action involving top-ten teams, number-five Louisville is at Miami, sixth-ranked Florida plays North Florida, number-seven Maryland meets Holy Cross, it’s eighth-ranked Gonzaga against Alabama State, and number-ten Villanova versus Army.
Elsewhere in college basketball:
_ Jared Butler scored 30 points and No. 16 Baylor opened coach Scott Drew's 17th season with a 105-61 victory in an early start against Central Arkansas. Four players scored in double figures for the hometown Bears, who scored the game's first 19 points. Butler hit eight 3-pointers.
^MLB-CARDINALS EXTENSIONS
Cardinals manager gets new three-year contract
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has been given a new three-year contract through the 2022 season.
Shildt was hired in 2018 and his initial deal ran through 2020.
At its end-of-season news conference Tuesday, St. Louis announced president of baseball operations John Mozeliak received a three-year extension through 2023. The Cardinals exercised a 2020 option on general manager Mike Girsch and gave him a two-year extension through 2022.
^NBA-SCHEDULE
Celtics carry four-game streak to Cleveland
CLEVELAND (AP) _ The Boston Celtics, winners of four in a row, head to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers.
The Los Angeles Lakers carry a five-game win streak to Chicago, where they’ll take on the Bulls.
The Miami Heat opens a three-game western trip at Denver. The Indiana Pacers visit Charlotte. The Atlanta Hawks continue a stretch of four straight home games when they face the San Antonio Spurs. And the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic are each looking for their third win of the season as they meet in Oklahoma.
^NBA-HAWKS-COLLINS SUSPENSION
Hawks’ Collins suspended 25 games
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins has been suspended for 25 games without pay for a violation of the NBA's Anti-Drug Program after testing positive for a growth hormone.
The NBA announced the 22-year-old Collins, Atlanta's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, tested positive for Peptide-2.
Collins' suspension begins with Tuesday night's game against San Antonio.
The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 17 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
In other NBA news:
_ Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins has undergone a shoulder surgery that will sideline him for at least four months. The team said Collins had successful surgery Tuesday to repair his left labrum. Collins dislocated his shoulder in a game against Dallas on Oct. 27.
^NHL-SCHEDULE
Bruins, Islanders look to continue win streaks
MONTREAL (AP) _ After winning their sixth straight game last night, the Boston Bruins head to Montreal to play their longtime rivals, the Canadiens. It’s their first meeting this season. The Canadiens ended a three-game winning streak over the weekend with a loss to Dallas.
The New York Islanders are hoping to continue their longest win streak in 30 years when they host the Ottawa Senators. The Islanders have won nine straight as they head into a four-game homestand. The Senators are coming off of a 6-2 win last night against the Rangers in New York.
After beating Philadelphia in the 11th round of a shootout Saturday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs return home to face the Los Angeles Kings. The Flyers, meanwhile, continue a three-game homestand with a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are trying to rebound from four straight losses as they host the Vegas Golden Knights. The Winnipeg Jets open a four-game homestand against New Jersey.
In other NHL action, Colorado is at Dallas, Arizona visits Calgary, the Blues skate at Vancouver, Anaheim hosts Minnesota and the Blackhawks are in San Jose.
^NHL-MAPLE LEAFS-TAVARES
Maple Leafs captain set to return
TORONTO (AP) — Maple Leafs captain John Tavares is set to return to the lineup Tuesday night after missing seven games with a broken finger.
The star center says he has made "really good progress" and is looking forward to the game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Tavares was hurt Oct. 16 after a shot by Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly hit his hand during a 4-3 loss at Washington. The Maple Leafs were 3-2-2 without Tavares, including Saturday's 4-3 shootout victory in Philadelphia. He had three goals and four assists in eight games this season before the injury.
^NFL-PANTHERS-NEWTON INJURED
Panthers place quarterback Cam Newton on injured reserve
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers have placed quarterback Cam Newton on injured reserve.
Newton has missed the last six games while trying to battle back from a mid-foot sprain. Panthers general manager said in a statement Tuesday that after seeing two foot specialists that the team was told "it likely will take significant time for the injury to fully heal."
Newton was the league's MVP in 2015, but has lost his last eight starts dating back to last season.
In other NFL news:
_ The Kansas City Chiefs and team President Mark Donovan have signed a long-term contract extension. Terms were not disclosed. Donovan joined the Chiefs as chief operating officer in 2009 and was promoted to team president in 2011.
_ The Tennessee Titans have placed cornerback Malcolm Butler on injured reserve after he injured his left wrist against the Carolina Panthers. Tennessee also re-signed cornerback Tye Smith, added wide receiver Rashard Davis to the practice squad and removed offensive lineman Daniel Munyer from the practice squad.
_ The Buffalo Bills have signed defensive tackle Corey Liuget (LEE'-jiht) to a one-year contract in a bid to shore up their run defense. Liuget is 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds. He appeared in three games with Oakland this season before his release last week. He was drafted by the Chargers in the first round in 2011 and spent eight seasons with them. Buffalo's poor showing of late against the run coincides with a season-ending injury to defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.
_ The New York Jets have signed linebacker Paul Worrilow and placed cornerback Trumaine Johnson and wide receiver Josh Bellamy on season-ending injured reserve. The team also announced it signed running back Josh Adams from the practice squad. Worrilow signed with Baltimore in August but requested to be released the next day to contemplate his playing future. Johnson was dealing with injuries to both ankles and might have played in his final game with the Jets.
_ Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (kihm-DEE'-chay) has been released by the Miami Dolphins, who decided the former first-round pick couldn't help their struggling defense.
_ The Seattle Seahawks have released disappointing fourth-round pick Gary Jennings and activated rookie offensive lineman Phil Haynes from the physically unable to perform list. Jennings was a highly regarded wide receiver coming out of West Virginia but could never earn a spot on the field. Haynes was a fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest but his rookie season was sidetracked by sports hernia surgery.
^NFL-BROWNS-WHITEHEAD APOLOGY
Former Browns safety Whitehead ‘deeply regretful’ for rant
CLEVELAND (AP) — Former Browns safety Jermaine Whitehead has apologized for his alarming postgame social media rant.
Whitehead was cut by Cleveland on Monday after he posted several threatening and profane messages on Twitter following Sunday's 24-19 loss in Denver.
On his Instagram page, the 26-year-old player said his behavior was "out of character for me" and that he was "deeply regretful." Whitehead said he was frustrated by the way he played, adding that although he had a broken hand "that is no excuse for my actions."
Whitehead apologized to "anyone who I offended." In one of his posts, he threatened a former NFL player and used a derogatory racial term.
^COLLEGE FOOTBALL-MINNESOTA-FLECK
Minnesota has seven-year extension with football coach
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — No. 13 Minnesota and football coach P.J. Fleck have agreed on a seven-year contract extension that will keep him with the Golden Gophers through the 2026 season.
The extension was announced Tuesday and is pending approval from the Board of Regents. Fleck calls it "a tremendous honor to lead this team," and said the Gophers are building "a championship culture."
Fleck is in his third year at Minnesota, which is off to an 8-0 start.
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