Nationally
Nicolau dropped as Colts' offensive coordinator
INDIANAPOLIS - Nick Nicolau was dropped Friday as offensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts.
"We felt a change was necessary," said Bill Tobin, Colts vice president of football operations. "And we appreciate the contribution Nick Nicolau has given to the Colt organization over the past three years."
Nets might become Fire Dragons next season
NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Nets might become the New Jersey Fire Dragons next season.
The Nets have petitioned the NBA to change their name, but the Board of Governors has not yet been notified. So for now, the name Nets will remain, NBA marketing and communications director Peter Land said Friday.
WFAN-AM Radio said Friday the Nets were to become the Fire Dragons in the 1995-96 season, but Land said that was premature.
NHL to resume talks
NEW YORK - Working against a Jan. 16 deadline for saving what is left of the NHL season, lawyers for the league and the locked-out players association plan to resume meetings this weekend.
Cliff Fletcher, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and an integral figure in the talks, was expected back from a Hawaiian vacation on Saturday. He would join NHL vice president Jeffrey Pash for talks with union attorneys Bob Riley and John McCambridge.
Bevell to play in pain
TAMPA, Fla. - Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, celebrating his 48th birthday Friday at practice for the Hall of Fame Bowl, said quarterback Darrel Bevell still feels some pain in his back but will have to play with it.
The Badgers (6-4-1) play Duke (8-3) Monday in the ninth annual Hall of Fame Bowl.
Detroit's Miller undergoes surgery for hand
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Detroit Pistons center Oliver Miller underwent surgery Friday for a fractured right hand and is expected to be out four to five weeks, the team said.
76ers' Bradley fined $4,000 for flagrant elbow
NEW YORK - Shawn Bradley of the Philadelphia 76ers was fined $4,000 by the NBA for hitting Kendall Gill with a flagrant elbow during Wednesday's game against Seattle at the Tacoma Dome.
Bradley was ejected following the incident, which occurred with 1:35 remaining in the SuperSonics' 121-102 victory. The ejection carries an additional $1,000 fine.
Deadline closing in for sale of Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS - The deadline for closing the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves is Saturday, but the deal is being held up by the Target Center sale.
Despite the missed deadline, the Timberwolves' sale to Mankato businessman Glen Taylor is expected to go through.
Locally
Junction Lanes to host New Year's 3-6-9 tourney
Junction Bowling Lanes will be hosting a New Year's Day 3-6-9 Tournament for men and women. The handicap tournament, which gives all bowlers a strike in the third, sixth and ninth frames, has an entrance fee of $14. Squad times are scheduled for 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, call Junction Bowling Lanes at 255-6841.
UVSC earns tourney title
EL CAJON, Calif. - Utah Valley State College (14-0) put an emphatic stamp on its title certificate Friday at the Grossmont Holiday Classic with an easy 81-38 win in the championship game over previously unbeaten Fraser Valley College of British Columbia.
Cougar women blitz Cincy at BYU Holiday Classic
PROVO - Seniors Debbie Dimond and Thais Kidd scored 27 and 21 points respectively and junior Kim Henry added a career-high 19 to lead BYU's women's basketball team on a scoring blitz that ended in a 93-68 win over Cincinnati in the consolation game of the BYU Holiday Classic Friday in Provo.
Eastern Washington, a 12-point victor over BYU in the first round Thursday, won the tournament with a 79-62 victory over Howard.