*COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Gus Malzahn, who directed one of the nation’s top-ranked offenses at Tulsa, was hired by new Auburn coach Gene Chizik as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Malzahn will join Auburn after Tulsa’s Jan. 6 GMAC Bowl against Ball State. … Running back Shawnbrey McNeal and tight end Daniel Adderley will be granted releases by Miami to transfer to other schools. … Former Michigan defensive coordinator Scott Shafer agreed not to “demean or disparage” his former employer as part of an agreement related to his resignation. The Detroit Free Press obtained the agreement through the Freedom of Information Act.
*COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Anthony Crater, a prized recruit who has appeared in all 10 games for No. 15 Ohio State this season, has been granted a release from his scholarship. Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said the 6-foot-1-inch freshman point guard from Flint, Mich., requested the release.
*WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Tina Charles scored 21 points as No. 1 Connecticut opened 11-0 for the third straight season with a 77-48 win over South Carolina. … Italee Lucas scored 17 points as No. 2 North Carolina (13-0) beat Western Michigan 102-55 for coach Sylvia Hatchell’s 797th career win. … Chante Black became the sixth player in ACC history with 1,000 points, 800 rebounds and 200 blocked shots as No. 6 Duke (10-1) beat Quinnipiac 78-50.
*NBA: Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was suspended one game for a flagrant foul in Friday’s game against Utah. He sat out Sunday’s win over the Clippers. Jason Kidd’s first-quarter steal was the 2,113rd of his career, breaking a tie with Alvin Robertson for eighth place all-time.
*HOCKEY: Hall of Famer Mike Gartner’s No. 11 was retired by the Capitals. … Blues left wing Paul Kariya will have hip surgery and is likely done for the season. … Sabres center Paul Gaustad went on injured reserve. … Travis Turnbull and Brandon Naurato had a goal and an assist each as Michigan beat Michigan State 5-1 to win the 44th Great Lakes Invitational. … University of Minnesota freshman Jordan Schroeder had two goals and an assist as U.S. beat the Czech Republic 4-3 in a world junior hockey championship game. The U.S. (2-0) plays Canada, which beat Kazakhstan 15-0, on Wednesday.
*BASEBALL: Free-agent right-hander Brad Penny and the Red Sox are close to agreeing on a one-year deal. A source told Fox Sports the two sides are working out the language of the contract.
*ALSO: The Telmex racing team owned by Carlos Slim has denied reports the Mexican billionaire will buy Honda’s flailing Formula One outfit. … Liverpool took a three-point lead in the Premier League routing Newcastle 5-1 while Chelsea was held to a 2-2 tie at Fulham. … David Alexander Smith, the creator of the Gully Creeper dance step made famous by champion sprinter Usain Bolt at the Olympics, was shot to death in a Jamaica nightclub. … Louisville baseball coach Dan McDonnell has been selected as an assistant coach for the 2009 USA Baseball team.
