Legion scores big with Weber
Now that Alex Legion is enrolled and practicing, Illinois coach Bruce Weber can see first-hand what he’s missing from his team. “He was known in high school as a scorer, and obviously that’s what we need,” said Weber, whose team is 8-7, 0-2 in the Big Ten. “He can play guard or be a swingman, can jump and shoot, shoot the three.” Legion, who transferred from Kentucky after one semester, began practicing on Saturday and is eligible to play in late December, after first-semester grades are posted. He is arguably the highest-rated recruit Weber has attracted in his five years at Illinois. “It’s a nice addition, an unexpected addition at this time to get a top 25 of top 50 player in the freshman class,” Weber said.
— Terry Bannon
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Vick could get early release
Michael Vick left Virginia on Monday to enter a drug treatment program at a Kansas prison, a move that could reduce his 23-month sentence on a federal dogfighting conviction. The suspended Falcons quarterback, who tested positive for marijuana in September, is now at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons minimum security facility in Leavenworth, attorney Billy Martin said. Upon successful completion of the program, non-violent offenders may be granted up to one year of early release. If Vick, 27, was released early, he could be ready for the 2009 season, though he is currently suspended. “Mr. Vick looks forward to being reunited with his family [after his release and] is hopeful that he can resume his career.”
— AP
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Jaguar spices up the big game
If the 16-0 Patriots need bulletin board material for Saturday’s playoff game against the Jaguars, they have it now, courtesy of Paul Spicer. When the Spygate scandal broke, the Jacksonville defensive lineman said the Patriots shouldn’t be allowed in the playoffs because of it. “Do like the NCAA and kick them out of the playoffs or something,” Spicer said after the scandal broke. Appearing on ESPN on Monday morning, Spicer stood by his comments. “I don’t regret saying what I said. I’m a man of my word. I always speak my mind and that’s what I felt at that time,” said Spicer, who wasn’t worried about providing added motivation. “If they got to bring up something said so long ago, let that be their motivational tool,” he said.
