IN BRIEF

BASKETBALL

Calhoun, UConn accused of eight major violations

Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun and the men's basketball program he has led to two national titles have been accused of eight major NCAA infractions, with investigators citing hundreds of improper calls and text messages from UConn staff to recruits.

The school released a notice from the NCAA on Friday detailing the allegations. Besides the calls and texts, the accusations include giving recruits improper benefits and improperly distributing free tickets to high school coaches and others. Calhoun, who has coached the Huskies since 1986, is cited for failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance.

The allegations come at the end of a 15-month investigation into the recruiting of former player Nate Miles, who was expelled from UConn in October 2008 without playing a game for the Huskies.

The NCAA alleges 160 impermissible telephone calls and at least 191 impermissible text messages between recruits and coaches.

Also: Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker filed for bankruptcy last week in Florida. Walker reported having $4.3 million in assets and $12.7 million in liabilities.

GOLF

Mickelson misses cut at Colonial; Molder leads

Phil Mickelson shot a 3-over-par 73 to finish at 4-over 144 and miss the cut at the Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas. Mickelson's score was one shot better than the worst one recorded among the 119 players who completed the first two rounds under ideal scoring conditions.

Bryce Molder shot 62 and leads the PGA Tour event at 13-under 127, one stroke better than Jason Bohn.

A victory at the Colonial would have pushed Mickelson ahead of Tiger Woods for No. 1 in the world ranking for the first time in his career. Instead, Mickelson missed a cut for the first time since April 2009, a span of 21 tournaments.

Also: Fred Couples shot a 4-under 68 to take the second-round lead in the Senior PGA Championship, one stroke ahead of Tom Kite, at the Colorado Golf Club in Parker. Couples was at 7-under 137 after the day's best round, despite teeing off in the afternoon when the wind picked up after a morning lull.

MISCELLANAEOUS

Gouldsmith era at UNLV ends with loss to Lobos

Buddy Gouldsmith's UNLV coaching career ended with a 10-3 loss to New Mexico in the losers' bracket final of the Mountain West Conference baseball tournament at San Diego State.

Gouldsmith was fired May 18 but allowed to finish the season. He went 202-217 in seven seasons, compiling the second-most victories in school history.

New Mexico pounded UNLV starter Stephen Singer for seven runs in the bottom of the first and led 9-0 after two innings. Drew Beuerlein went 3-for-4 and Jarred Frierson 2-for-4 with one RBI for the fifth-seeded Rebels (29-29).

Top-seeded Texas Christian then defeated the second-seeded Lobos 2-0 to capture the tournament title.

Also: The Seahawks unexpectedly waived running back LenDale White just weeks after a draft-day trade that brought him to Seattle from Tennessee. NFL Network, citing unnamed sources, reported that White was "likely" facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field on New Year's Day in the fourth installment of the NHL's Winter Classic.