There’s always been a strong bond between Roy Williams and Dean Smith. North Carolina’s current coach works in the massive arena that bears the name of his longtime mentor and one-time boss. The two have combined for three of the basketball program’s four NCAA titles and forged the Kansas-to-North Carolina pipeline.

FONTANA, California (Ticker) - Denny Hamlin likes the look up front.

Hamlin posted a top speed of 180.316 miles per hour in his Chevrolet Monte Carlo for a lap of 39.930 seconds to take the pole at the Camping World 300.

Hamlin, the winner of five poles on the Busch Series circuit this season, just edged Kasey Kahne, who came in at 180.162 in a Dodge Charger.

(Read the rest of this post)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Louis Rankin ran for a career-high 147 yards and threetouchdowns, and Jake Locker scored twice and didn’t commit a turnover in animpressive debut to help Washington beat Syracuse 42-12 on Friday night.

In a game featuring two quarterbacks who had never started in college,Locker easily outperformed Andrew Robinson.

Locker, the gem of Washington’s 2005 recruiting class who was given the No.1 job at the start of spring practice and held off a strong challenge fromsenior Carl Bonnell, ran for 83 yards on 10 carries and was 14-for-19 passingfor 142 yards before being replaced by Bonnell in the fourth quarter.

Robinson finished 20-for-32 for 199 yards but was sacked seven times, losing17 yards on 13 carries.

It was the first Friday night college game in the Carrier Dome since itopened in 1980, and it featured teams trying to resurrect winning traditionsafter falling on hard times. One game into the new season, Washington’s TyroneWillingham, now 8-16 as he starts his third season, had the edge over Syracuse’sGreg Robinson, who dropped to 5-19 at the start of his third season with theOrange.

(Read the rest of this post)

CINCINNATI — Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer were spectators for apreseason game that was tough to watch from the sideline — or anywhere else.

Neither of the NFL’s Pro Bowl passers got onto the field Friday night,leaving it to the reserves to generate some points and excitement. Neither cameeasily during the Cincinnati Bengals’ 14-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Both head coaches treated it more like a nuisance.

Palmer didn’t even wear a brace on his surgically reconstructed left knee,knowing he wouldn’t play. The Pro Bowl MVP did put on the rest of his gear — even wore his helmet — and made a few throws while the Bengals (1-3) warmed up.

At least Palmer dressed for the occasion. Super Bowl MVP Manning got anout-of-uniform day. Manning wore a visor, a white-and-blue Colts polo shirt andjeans. He stuffed his hands in his pants pockets and stood at the 40-yard linewhile the Colts (1-3) stretched before the game, making small talk with theequipment crew.

(Read the rest of this post)

ATLANTA — In a preseason finale nearly devoid of star power, Willis McGaheewas a surprise starter for the Baltimore Ravens on Friday night.

Not even a $40 million running back could stir much excitement at theGeorgia Dome.

McGahee was one of the few players with name recognition to play in a gamedecided by second-string kickers. Atlanta won 13-10 when Matt Prater, in justhis second day with the Falcons, kicked two fourth-quarter field goals.

Ravens coach Brian Billick and Falcons coach Bobby Petrino planned to usetheir backup players almost exclusively. But Baltimore wanted to give McGaheeextra snaps after bad weather suspended a loss at Washington last week.

Fans knew that quarterback Michael Vick was home in Virginia after pleadingguilty to federal dogfighting charges earlier this week. Joey Harrington, whohas replaced Vick as the starter, joined Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, KeithBrooking, John Abraham, DeAngelo Hall and Lawyer Milloy on the sideline.

(Read the rest of this post)

INDIANAPOLIS — Tamika Catchings had 22 points and 11 rebounds to help theIndiana Fever beat the Detroit Shock 75-65 on Friday night in Game 1 of theEastern Conference Finals.

The win puts the Fever one win away from their first trip to the Finals.

Catchings set a franchise record with her fourth consecutive double-double.She is averaging 20.3 points and 14.3 rebounds in the playoffs.

Tamika Whitmore scored 18 points for the Fever and Tammy Sutton-Brown, theAll-Star who all but disappeared in the first round of the playoffs, added 11points, eight rebounds and six blocks for Indiana.

Plenette Pierson led Detroit with 19 points and 10 rebounds and Cheryl Fordadded 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Shock.

(Read the rest of this post)

WASHINGTON — A Congressional committee will hold a hearing Sept. 18 aboutcompensation for retired NFL players.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation called for thehearing Friday, several months after a House subcommittee heard testimony fromretired players, union and NFL officials.

The retired players claim the league and the NFL Players Association havebeen neglectful in dealing with those players’ health problems. Many retiredplayers have appealed directly to commissioner Roger Goodell, who in Julylaunched a program that includes a $7 million medical fund. The union also istaking part in that program.

“I’m very sensitive to retired players that are facing medical issues,”Goodell said. “They helped us build this game. They’re important and we areworking on a number of programs to be responsive to that. … I’ve met with anumber of former players and will be meeting again with a number of formerplayers to try and understand the issues better and try to create somesolutions.”

Play Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football games: Fantasy Football | Pro Pick’em | Survival | Salary Cap

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL will suspend New England Patriots safety RodneyHarrison four games for violating its substance abuse policy, Harrison saidFriday night.

The suspension was first reported by ESPN.com, which said Harrison admittedto federal investigators that he obtained human growth hormone. Harrisonconfirmed the suspension in a conference call with reporters, but would notconfirm the details.

ESPN said Harrison met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday. Theleague does not comment on suspensions for violation of its substance abusepolicy.

Harrison’s name came up in federal and New York state investigations into anInternet pharmaceutical distribution ring for steroids and other performanceenhancers, ESPN reported.

Play Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football games: Fantasy Football | Pro Pick’em | Survival | Salary Cap

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas suspended wide receiver Billy Pittman for three gamesFriday after learning he broke NCAA amateurism rules by borrowing a friend’s carthis summer.

In a statement, the Longhorns did not identify the friend but said theperson had no connections to the school.

(Read the rest of this post)

BLACKSBURG, Va. — They came throughout the day — some bearing flowers,others wiping away a stray tear. They moved slowly, reverently on the gentlycurving path in front of Burruss Hall, pausing to look at each of the namesengraved on 32 distinctive chunks of “Hokie Stone.”

Nicole Regina White. Daniel Patrick O’Neil. Matthew Gregory Gwaltney. RossA. Alameddine.

(Read the rest of this post)