In Brief

The Chicago Bulls are keeping Joakim Noah around for a while. Getting the forward to play with Carlos Boozer, however, will take a little bit longer than expected.

The Bulls confirmed they have signed Noah to a multiyear contract extension. The team did not disclose terms Monday, but a source told The Associated Press it is a five-year deal. The Chicago Tribune reported it is worth about $11 million annually, with incentives that could take it higher.

Noah is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 10.7 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while battling plantar fasciitis in his left foot that kept him out of 18 games.

The news wasn't so good for Boozer, who broke the fifth metatarsal in his right hand over the weekend. He will have surgery today and is expected to miss about eight weeks.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Michigan State coach
released from hospital

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was released from a hospital after treatment for a blood clot that was discovered less than two weeks after surgery following a heart attack.

Dantonio was admitted Thursday with a blood clot in a leg and missed the Spartans' 34-24 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday. He has missed two games following the heart attack Sept. 19.

A routine postoperative exam revealed the blood clot, which is common after a variety of surgical procedures.

Also: With North Carolina being investigated by the NCAA and fighting to salvage its season, coach Butch Davis said he is "sorry" he trusted former assistant coach John Blake.

An NCAA probe of improper benefits and possible academic misconduct has jeopardized several players' college careers.

Davis publicly criticized his former associate head coach and recruiting coordinator's "inappropriate" relationship with California-based agent Gary Wichard.

MISCELLANEOUS

Report casts more doubt
on star cyclist Contador

The New York Times reported that Alberto Contador had eight times the allowable amount of a chemical which indicates doping in his system during this year's Tour de France, which he won for the third time.

A urine sample taken on July 20 showed a plasticizer, which is found in intravenous bags such as the ones used for endurance-boosting blood transfusions.

Contador tested positive for clenbuterol one day later and was provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union last week.

Reports out of France and Germany last week also said traces of a plasticizer were found in Contador's urine. Contador has repeatedly denied doping or having a transfusion, instead blaming the clenbuterol on contaminated meat.

Also: Andy Roddick beat Japanese wild card Tatsuma Ito 6-4, 6-3 today to advance to the second round at the Japan Open at Tokyo.

Roddick, playing in his first tournament since the U.S. Open, dominated Ito with a powerful serve and won the match with an ace, one of eight for the No. 2 seed.

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal had a first-round bye and will play Colombia's Santiago Giraldo later today.

FIFA suspended Nigerian soccer's governing body for government interference, almost certainly preventing the country from taking part in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations this weekend.

FIFA rules prohibit government interference with organizations that oversee a country's national soccer team.