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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. | North Carolina has dismissed fifth-year senior Will Graves from its basketball team.
Coach Roy Williams said Thursday that Graves didn't comply with team rules, though he says in a statement from the school that it had nothing to do with "any NCAA matters on campus."
The NCAA is investigating the football program for improper benefits and possible academic misconduct involving a tutor. The school has said that tutor didn't work with any men's basketball players.
Graves was the team's third-leading scorer at 9.8 points a game and its top 3-point shooting threat.
IN OTHER BASKETBALL NEWS
The attorney for Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn says the university has suspended the star guard from attending classes amid allegations that he hit his girlfriend during a domestic dispute.
Michigan State freshman forward Russell Byrd might not play this season. The school expects Byrd to have surgery this week to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.
football
former qb faces marijuana charge
NEW YORK | Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he drove his car while high on marijuana, and an officer testified that Simms told him at a checkpoint that he had been smoking.
The quarterback, the son of former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan courtroom to charges of driving while impaired and driving while impaired by drugs. Simms, 29, could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.
IN OTHER NEWS
Southern Miss football coach Larry Fedora has announced that running back Desmond Johnson has been suspended for Saturday's Conference USA showdown against East Carolina.
Baylor football players Willie Jefferson and Josh Gordon - both wide receivers - have been charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.
golf
Kite takes lead in final senior major
POTOMAC, Md. | Tom Kite shot a 3-under 67 in calmer morning conditions Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over fellow early starters Mark O'Meara, Michael Allen and Joe Ozaki in the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, the Champions Tour's final major of the season.
After a bogey on No.7, the 60-year-old Kite -- winless since the 2008 Boeing Classic -- birdied Nos. 9, 10, 14 and 17 at new-look TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.
IN OTHER GOLF NEWS
John Rollins kicked off the new McGladrey Classic on Thursday with his best round of the year, a 7-under 63 at Sea Island in Georgia to take a one-shot lead over David Toms and rookie Troy Merritt.
Ryder Cup vice-captain Thomas Bjorn shot a 6-under 66 at St. Andrews to take a share of the first-round lead with Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez at the Alfred Dunhill Links.
LPGA Championship winner Cristie Kerr shot a 7-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Morgan Pressel, Anna Nordqvist and Dorothy Delasin in the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville, Ala.
baseball
Braves' Hanson gets hit near eye
SAN FRANCISCO | Atlanta Braves Game 2 starter Tommy Hanson left batting practice Thursday night after he hit a foul ball that bounced off the plate and hit him in the area of his right eye.
The Braves said initial reports from the clubhouse were that he was fine and is still scheduled to make his start tonight against the San Francisco Giants in the best-of-five NL division series.
The Braves said Hanson was taken to the training room and was scheduled to be further examined by a doctor Thursday night as a precaution.
IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS
Former Diamondbacks coach Bo Porter has interviewed for the Pittsburgh Pirates' managerial job. The Pirates fired John Russell on Monday.
Starting their search for a new general manager, the New York Mets are set to interview Rick Hahn, Allard Baird and Josh Byrnes next week.
tennis
Wozniacki to take over No. 1 ranking
BEIJING | Caroline Wozniacki will replace American star Serena Williams as No. 1 in the world when the new rankings are released Monday.
The 20-year-old will become the first player from Denmark, male or female, to hold the top ranking after a 6-3, 6-2 win over Petra Kvitova at the China Open on Thursday in Beijing .
IN OTHER TENNIS NEWS
Serena Williams is returning to the WTA Tour at next week's Generali Ladies Linz after being sidelined since July by a cut on her right foot.
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick cruised into the quarterfinals of the Japan Open with straight-set victories Thursday.
in other news
The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Nathan Paetsch from the Florida Panthers for minor-league defender Sean Zimmerman.
The Kentucky Derby will remain on NBC through 2015. Churchill Downs Inc. and NBC Sports announced a five-year deal Thursday.
