Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton, who was involved in a car accident earlier this month and took a medical leave of absence, will undergo surgery to correct chronic hip and back problems before he enters an alcohol-treatment center.
“I am humbled by the support I continue to receive and appreciate more than you will know the words of encouragement. This remains a difficult period,” Sutton said in a statement released Wednesday by the university. “The surgery is the first step in addressing my physical pain and my problem with alcohol.”
The surgery is scheduled for Thursday, the university said.
Sutton, 69, was hospitalized after his sport-utility vehicle struck another SUV on a Stillwater road Feb. 10.
Free throws
John Tofi, UTEP’s leading scorer and rebounder, sprained his right knee in the first half of Wednesday night’s game at Memphis and didn’t return. . . . Wisconsin-Green Bay coach Tod Kowalczyk apologized for questioning referees’ integrity after Saturday’s loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in an ESPN “Bracket Buster” game. . . . Senior guard Dedrick Finn was dismissed from Xavier’s team for an unspecified rules violation. . . . Freshman forward Josh Dollard was suspended indefinitely by Auburn for violating unspecified team rules. . . . Gene Bess, 70, became the first coach at any level to win 1,000 games when Three Rivers (Mo.) Community College beat Forest Park 77-60.
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
#1 Duke 73 at Georgia Tech 66
Shelden Williams had 26 pts and 11 rebs and J.J. Redick overcame horrid start to score 22 pts as Blue Devils (26-1, 14-0 ACC) rallied in 2nd half to beat Yellow Jackets (10-15, 3-11).
UTEP 56 at #4 Memphis 66
Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 17 pts to lead Tigers (25-2, 11-0) to 14th straight win in matchup of top 2 C-USA teams. Miners (17-7, 9-2) lost for only 2nd time in 12 games.
La Salle 66 at #6 G. Wash. 77
Regis Koundjia scored 13 pts to lead five players in double figures and Colonials (23-1, 13-0 A-10) extended nation’s longest win streak to 15 games by beating Explorers (17-8, 9-5).
#7 Texas 65 at Kansas St. 64
Kenton Paulino went 4-for-4 from FT line in final :16 as Longhorns (23-4, 11-2 Big 12) avoided 2nd straight loss. Lance Harris, held to 4 pts in last game, led Wildcats (14-10, 5-8) with 18.
#10 Tennessee 76 at #12 Florida 72
Dane Bradshaw scored 15 pts, including layup with :15 to play that gave Volunteers (20-4, 11-2 SEC) victory over Gators (22-5, 8-5). Joakim Noah led Florida with 20 pts, 9 rebs and 5 blks.
#21 N. Carolina 95 at #15 N.C. State 71
David Noel had career-high 25 pts and added 11 rebs, Reyshawn Terry scored 20 pts and Tar Heels (18-6, 9-4 ACC) completed 3rd straight season sweep of Wolfpack (21-6, 10-4).
Rutgers 50 at #23 Georgetown 66
Roy Hibbert scored career-high 25 pts and Hoyas (18-7, 9-5) snapped 3-game losing streak. Quincy Douby had 29 pts on 9-for-20 shooting for Scarlet Knights (15-12, 5-9).
#24 LSU 77 at Vanderbilt 66
Darrel Mitchell scored 21 pts and Tigers (19-7, 11-2) clinched 2nd straight SEC Western Division title with 1st victory over Commodores (14-10, 5-8) at Nashville since 1996.
Bradley 71 at #25 N. Iowa 49
Patrick O’Bryant scored 18 pts and Tony Bennett added 13 as Braves (17-9, 10-7 MVC) won 4th straight game, sweeping season series with Panthers (22-7, 11-6) for 1st time in 5 yrs.
Missouri State 72 at Illinois State 61
Blake Ahern scored 18 pts and Bears (19-7, 11-6 MVC) surged to 7th win in last 8 games while handing Redbirds (9-17, 4-13) 7th loss in last 8. Robert Fortes led ISU with 14 pts.
Central Michigan 70 at N. Illinois 80
Ben Rand had 14 pts and Anthony Maestranzi and Cory Sims 12 each to lead Huskies (14-10, 9-6 MAC) past Chippewas (4-20, 1-14), who got game-high 21 from Chris Kellermann.
