Seve Ballesteros? son will make his European Tour debut in 2012

The passing of Seve Ballesteros earlier this year was one of 2011's indisputable tragedies; Seve was an outstanding ambassador for the game and embodied everything you could want in a pro. And in a bit of life-goes-on, tomorrow's-another-day happiness, Ballesteros' son Javier has announced he'll make his European Tour debut next year in the Majorca Open.

Ballesteros, age 21, is currently enrolled in law school, but will take a break in May to play in the tournament. He's a one-handicapper, and as you can see at right, he bears more than a passing resemblance to his father.

European Tour legends from Jose Maria Olazabal to Luke Donald met the news of Ballesteros' debut with warmth and encouragement. "He is so like his father," said Donald, who played with Javier Ballesteros in the Madrid Masters recently. "I guess the genes have been passed down."

In his own European Tour debut, the Spanish Open in April 1974, Ballesteros missed the cut. But he'd go on to win 50 European Tour titles, as well as five majors. No pressure there, Javier.

The younger Ballesteros will surely receive more warmth and encouragement than virtually any player on the course. And he's said that he will give the pro game a shot once he finishes his legal studies. Good luck, kid.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/golf_experts/post/Seve-Ballesteros-son-will-make-his-European-Tou?urn=golf-wp6477

Nick Spaling Jason Spezza Ryan Spooner Eric Staal

Headlinin?: Frustrated Kiffin felt ?basically lied to? over final timeout

Making the morning rounds.

? Winning more friends, I see. USC coach Lane Kiffin publicly complained Sunday about a pair of calls in Saturday night's 56-48, triple-overtime loss to Stanford, telling reporters he'd called an unidentified Pac-12 official from the locker room to say he was "basically lied to" about being granted a timeout after the final play of regulation. According to Kiffin, a side judge told him USC would be granted a timeout if replays showed receiver Robert Woods' knee had come down inbounds with one second on the clock, which would have given the Trojans a shot at a 50-yard field goal to win. Instead, when Woods was ruled down, referee Michael Batlan announced the clock had expired and the game was headed to overtime. "Any coach can ask for a timeout, but he doesn't get one until an official grants or signifies it," Batlan said after the game. "I was not a part of any conversation or meeting with regards to a requested timeout."

"I'm really disappointed in the officials. Extremely disappointed," Kiffin said immediately after the game. "I had asked for a timeout with one second left before the play. We could have kicked a 50-yard field goal to win the game. �I'm not complaining. I'm just giving you the exact facts."

Kiffin said Sunday he's also contacted the conference about officials' decision to mark off a holding call against Stanford in the second overtime from the end of the play, an 8-yard gain, instead of the spot of the foul at the line of scrimmage. Knox Kiffin could have made the correct spot, his dad said, and "Knox is 2 years old." [Orange County Register, L.A. Daily News]

? Nothing to see here. Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich quickly defused any controversy about Oregon's starting quarterback after Saturday's 43-28 win over Washington State, telling reporters "One hundred percent, it's Darron Thomas" after Thomas was pulled for backup Bryan Bennett in the second half. Head coach Chip Kelly, on the other hand, wasn't so forthcoming: "I don't have to answer that question. But I know who he is," Kelly said when asked about his starter. "I'll play 17 quarterbacks if it's gonna help us win. ... We can do this dance all day long if you want."

Thomas ? returning from a one-game absence after injuring his knee against Arizona State ? was pulled for "injury-slash-performance-based" reasons after throwing a pair of interceptions in the first half, which ended with the Ducks up just 15-10. Bennett came on to connect on a pair of touchdown passes in the second half, leading three scoring drives in all to push the Ducks' record to 7-1 with a critical November slate (Washington, Stanford, USC, Oregon State) looming and Thomas' health suddenly back under the microscope. "We just felt Bryan gave us a better chance in the second half," Kelly said. [Eugene Register-Guard, The Oregonian]

? The Rap Sheet. South Florida offensive lineman Tony Kibler has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested on two felony counts for allegedly using a knife to break into the dorm room of a female student who lives across the hall from him on Saturday night. Surprise: A spokesman for USF police said the incident apparently stems from a "dissolved relationship." Kibler, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman, was charged with armed burglary and improper exhibition of a weapon on school grounds, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor criminal mischief for damage to the door.

"I have suspended Tony Kibler indefinitely, just for unacceptable behavior," said coach Skip Holtz. "Just need to see where it's going, but right now he won't participate in any type of football-related activities." [Tampa Tribune]

Quickly? Georgia loses a starting offensive lineman for the rest of the regular season, at least, with a broken fibula. ? Colorado loses another running back for the season, this one just two weeks after burning his redshirt. ? Syracuse fans can't believe they were watching the same team in Louisville that blew out West Virginia a week before. ? A small city on the field of Ohio Stadium. ? And "it doesn't take anybody real educated" to figure out Florida needs bigger running backs to run Charlie Weis' offense.

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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Headlinin-Frustrated-Kiffin-felt-basically-li?urn=ncaaf-wp9017

Matt Bartkowski Oskars Bartulis Nolan Baumgartner Francois Beauchemin

Future News: Real Madrid sign Neymar on condition of using 2 balls

Following initial reports that Real Madrid have agreed in principle to sign 19-year-old Ballon d'Or candidate Neymar for �53 million, it has been revealed that the main stipulation in the agreement hinges on Real Madrid being allowed to play their matches with two footballs to accommodate both him and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez explained the outlandish request: "Since we already have Cristiano, another player who likes to have the ball at his feet as often as possible, it is imperative that the league allows us to play with two balls -- one for Cristiano and one for Neymar if this deal is going to work."

Ronaldo led La Liga with 40 goals from 250 shots last season while Barcelona's Lionel Messi scored 31 goals from 150 shots. Neymar, who has scored 10 times in 18 matches for Brazil's Santos this season, was also pursued by Barcelona.

Asked if signing such an expensive young talent is necessary for league-leading Real, Perez replied: "Of course not. But we've got to beat Barcelona at something."

Photo: Reuters

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Future-News-Real-Madrid-sign-Neymar-on-conditio?urn=sow-wp6253

Mike Ribeiro Brad Richards Mike Richards Brad Richardson

Headlinin?: All signs point to ?go? for Mathieu, Ware at Alabama

Making the morning rounds.

? Oh, I think we can find room. Nobody came right out and said "They're going to play," but suspended LSU stars Tyrann Mathieu and Spencer Ware were back at practice Tuesday and looking for all the world like they're going to be in the lineup against Alabama after sitting out last weekend's obliteration of Auburn for allegedly failing a drug test. There's still more than ten days to go, but if Mathieu and Ware are in the fold ? along with a third suspend, nickel corner Tharold Simon ?�the only notable absence on either side on Nov. 5 will be LSU offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk, out for the season with a knee injury since last month.

"If they continue to do the things that they're doing, we would anticipate that they would play (against the Crimson Tide)," said coach Les Miles. "We're not going to live in deadlines in any way. We're practicing and preparing them to play and operating along that way. We're going to practice them and plan on using them." [Baton Rouge Advocate]

? Don't let the door hit you. To the surprise of no one, USC running back Dillon Baxter is officially off the team to "focus on his academics," likely ending his trajectory from the second coming of Reggie Bush out of high school to persona non grata less than two years into his career. Before the season, Baxter was talking about his improved maturity as a sophomore and relishing his opportunity to seize the starting tailback job with senior Marc Tyler on indefinite suspension. By last weekend, Tyler was back atop of the depth chart alongside Curtis McNeal, hyped freshman George Farmer had been added to the mix as the resident "dual threat" option and Baxter was skipping the trip to Notre Dame altogether after failing to see the field in the Trojans' wins over Arizona and Cal.

"The decision has been made for Dillon Baxter to focus on his academics," coach Lane Kiffin said in a statement.�"As he does so, he will not be part of our football program.� However, we will continue to support him with our academic services department. There will be no further comment regarding this from me or any member of our program."�For what it's worth, Baxter's stepfather said Tuesday that the subject of a transfer hasn't come up. "He loves USC," Anthony Mooney told the Orange County Register. "He respects the staff. He wants to be a Trojan." [USCTrojans.com, Orange County Register]

? Let the Mtn eat cake. As a multitude of sources added to the chorus confirming West Virginia's defection from the Big East to the Big 12 Tuesday ?�and with it the likely demise of the Big East as a major football conference ?�Big East officials strongly denied reports that they were planning to meet with Mountain West and Conference USA commissioners in New York to discuss joining the forthcoming Mtn/C-USA merger to forge a "super conference" of up to 32 schools. "We are not part of any meeting with those two conferences,'' a Big East spokesman told the New York Daily News ("in no uncertain terms"), despite the leverage a merger could offer toward the Big East's first priority: Keeping an automatic bid to a BCS bowl game.

In the meantime, Boise State president Bob Kustra confirmed reports that he met with Big East officials in Washington, D.C., over the weekend, but said the conversation was "informational in nature" and Boise "continues to consider and evaluate its options" ? not just boilerplate when one of those options (the Big East) is looking less and less viable by the week. [New York Daily News, Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston Gazette, Idaho Statesman]

? I'm just mad about Kapron. Notre Dame defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore is out for the rest of the season with an MCL injury, joining fellow senior Ethan Johnson on the injured list and likely forcing the Irish to start two true freshman ends Saturday against Navy ? the same Navy whose slippery triple-option attack has gashed ND in Midshipmen wins three of the last four years. Lewis-Moore has started 29 games over the last three years and should be back with a fifth year of eligibility in 2012. [IrishIllustrated.com]

In other injury news? Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel remains in limbo after reinsuring the same shoulder he hurt in the Cougars' season opener. [Seattle Times] ? UCLA safety Tony Dye is out for the season due to "stingers," and will likely have to request a medical redshirt to return next year. [L.A. Daily News] ? And Cincinnati cornerback Dominique Battle is out for the season with a torn ACL that will require surgery later this week. [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Quickly? Missouri may be forced to remain in the Big 12 for one more year in 2012-13. ? Cliff Harris plans to fight his latest traffic citations. ? Jerry Kill parlays Minnesota's ongoing nightmare of a season into a longer contract worth more money. ? Florida loses a pair of former high school teammates in search of more playing time. ? South Carolina holds a team meeting to remind itself it's still in the driver's seat in the SEC East. ? And Jeff Sagarin's computer ranks Boston College behind Harvard, along with pretty much everyone else with a team.

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Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Headlinin-8217-All-signs-point-to-8216-go-?urn=ncaaf-wp8706

Colin Fraser Trevor Frischmon

Best of Midnight Madness: The humorous side of Renardo Sidney

Midnight Madness produces some memorable moments each year, so we're chronicling the best ones from Friday's lineup all weekend. If you spot something we missed, let us know here or here.

Embattled Mississippi State big man Renardo Sidney won the school's Midnight Madness scrimmage for his team with the above two-handed follow slam, a nice moment to be sure yet maybe not his best of the night. According to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal's Brad Locke, Sidney delivered a terrific line while delivering a pre-taped video tour of the school's newly built practice facility. Said Sidney as he pointed to a chair across from the desk in coach Rick Stansbury's office: "This is the hot seat. You do not want to sit in this seat. You're in this seat, you're in trouble. Trust me, I know." To the delight of the crowd, Sidney then lounged in Stansbury's chair, put his feet up on the desk and delivered the classic Stansburyism, "It is what it is." Say what you will about Sidney's work ethic and propensity for getting in trouble, but it's great to see he has a sense of humor about it.

More from Best of Midnight Madness Series:

? The weekend's best missed dunk
? Indiana's Will Sheehey recreates Iowa dunk
? Buffalo's Mitchell Watt pulls off two-ball dunk
? Maryland's Alex Len does cartwheel dunk
? West Virginia sings 'Country Road"
? Big dunks from Baylor newcomers
? Paul Hewitt and the Green Machine
? Even North Carolina's Roy Williams busts a move
? Duke's Miles Plumlee clears 6-foot-11 brother
? Syracuse legends get warm welcome
? Kansas coach Bill Self and his custom motorcycle
? Creighton guard leaps over 7-footer
? Kentucky women's coach upstages John Calipari
? The humorous side of Mississippi State's Renardo Sidney
? Sing-along with Marquette's Buzz Williams
? Memphis' Drew Barham has sweet dance moves
? Maryland fans show appreciation for Gary Williams
? Wagner forward leaps over his mom
? New Mexico guard's back flip dunk
? Tubby Smith shows fighting spirit

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Best-of-Midnight-Madness-The-humorous-side-of-R?urn=ncaab-wp5423

Jordan Staal Matt Stajan Steven Stamkos Paul Stastny

Cal?s Mike Montgomery feels ?extremely fortunate? to be alive

LOS ANGELES ? Cal coach Mike Montgomery is well known for his wry sense of humor, so it's no surprise he opened his conversation with reporters at Pac-12 Media Day by making light of his recent health scare.

"It's good to see everybody," he said. "And in lieu of recent circumstances, it's good to be seen."

Even being strong enough to sit behind a microphone was worth celebrating for Montgomery after the frightening news doctors gave him a month ago. The 64-year-old coach revealed Friday that he had "high-grade" bladder cancer but is now is cancer-free following surgery last week.

Montgomery emphasized he will have no physical limitations this year, adding that he plans to end his leave of absence on Monday when Cal opens the season with an exhibition game against UC San Diego at Haas Pavilion. About the only noticeable difference Montgomery said anyone will see in him after surgery is a little extra perspective about what's important in life.

"It's scary," Montgomery said. "You go from on top of your game and in charge of everything to no longer being in charge. It could have gone the other way, but I'm extremely fortunate it went the way that it did and I'm good to go. It adds some perspective to your life."

The most terrifying part for Montgomery was how much worse it could have been had he gotten tested a few months earlier or a few months later. When Montgomery was diagnosed with bladder cancer last month, the Cal coach said his doctor told him, "Three months ago we wouldn't have found this and six months from now you wouldn't be here."

Not only is Cal guard Jorge Gutierrez elated to have Montgomery back on the sideline starting next week, the senior also pointed out a silver lining to the coach's health scare. Gutierrez said that seeing Montgomery in a vulnerable state strengthened the bond between him and the Cal players.

"I feel like now we feel a little bit more connected," Gutierrez said. "Before we didn't have much of a connection with him outside of basketball, but he opened up a little more and that's helped us to relate with him more.

"He's just a great person. On and off the court, he makes me a better player, a better person and a better student."

Now that Montgomery is able to start thinking about basketball again a bit more, he has a lot to be excited about this season. The return of forward Harper Kamp and guards Gutierrez and Allen Crabbe give Cal a nucleus capable of challenging for the program's second conference title in the past three seasons.

The media selected Cal second behind UCLA in Friday's Pac-12 preseason poll, a projection the Bears are capable of either falling short of or exceeding depending on a multitude of factors.

They need 6-foot-10 sophomore Richard Solomon to improve his back-to-the-basket game and replace Markhuri Sanders-Frison's prodution. They need either Brandon Smith or Minnesota transfer Justin Cobbs to run the offense efficiently at point guard. And most importantly, they need Kamp's oft-injured knees to hold up until the end of the season.

"We're going to do everything we can to make that happen," Montgomery said. "Harper unfortunately just has a knee that's not great, and he puts an inordinate amount of time in to prepare himself to come to practice every day and to get ready to play. It's going to be important that thing doesn't get sore, but at the same time he has to practice enough to get his timing."

That Montgomery can go back to worrying about Kamp's knees rather than his own health problems is great news. It was a tough month for him, but now he's looking forward to returning to the sideline.

Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Albert Pujols' crossroads complicate the Cardinals' title
? Wizards guard feels he is 'better than [Michael Jordan]'
? Video: Will Tom Brady, Patriots conquer Steelers again?

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Cal-8217-s-Mike-Montgomery-feels-8216-extreme?urn=ncaab-wp5737

John Tavares Nate Thompson Joe Thornton Scott Timmins

5 Nationwide Tour graduates to keep an eye on next season

While Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy were busy pocketing multi-million dollar checks at international events, a group of mini-tour guys were busy grinding it out on Sunday at the Nationwide Tour Championship.

The goal? To get inside the top 25 on the Nationwide Tour's Money List and grab a coveted ticket to the PGA Tour in 2012. You'll probably notice a couple of names on the final list, but here are five notable ones to keep an eye on next season.

Billy Hurley III (No. 25 on the Money List): Next to Erik Compton, he might be one of the best stories to come out of the Nationwide Tour. A former Naval officer who spent time on battle ships in the Persian Gulf, China and Korea, it only took him one full season on the developmental circuit to make it to the PGA Tour. You'd have to think those five years spent serving our country in hostile waters made the final round of the Tour Championship a breeze.

Erik Compton (No. 13): The two-time heart transplant recipient is finally headed to the PGA Tour after years of wondering if he'd ever play professional golf again. Compton captured the Mexico Open earlier this year to secure his card with ease. He posted a couple solid finishes on the PGA Tour this season -- including a T-25 at the Northern Trust Open -- so it should be fun to see what he does with a full season on golf's biggest stage.

Danny Lee (No. 6): It was only a matter of time before the 21-year-old Lee put it all together. After becoming the youngest U.S. Amateur winner at the age of 18, Lee struggled to find his footing in the professional game. But it all seemed to come together in 2011. With a win at the WNB Golf Classic, Lee nailed down his tour card in his first full season on the Nationwide Tour. He'll be the only full-time Kiwi on tour next season.

Ted Potter Jr. (No. 2): Hard as it is to believe, Potter wasn't even a full-time Nationwide Tour member at the beginning of the season. But after Monday qualifying for the South Georgia Classic and winning the tournament, he secured his status for the rest of the season. In just six months he managed to make enough to finish runner-up on the Nationwide Money List. Imagine what the guy could've done with a full season.

John Mallinger (No. 14): Mallinger, who had conditional status on the PGA Tour this season, needed only 9 Nationwide events to secure his tour card for 2012. After spending this year bouncing back and forth between both tours, you can bet he'll come back in 2012 with the goal of making sure he doesn't have to do the same thing again in the near future.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/golf_experts/post/5-Nationwide-Tour-graduates-to-keep-an-eye-on-ne?urn=golf-wp6614

Eric Belanger Patrice Bergeron Patrik Berglund Blair Betts