Fast Break
Women’s basketball
Series ended after accusation
Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma said the regular-season series against rival Tennessee was canceled because Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt accused the Huskies of a recruiting violation.
Auriemma, speaking to reporters on campus Tuesday, said Summitt “doesn’t have the courage to say it publicly.”
UConn officials said in March they self-reported a secondary violation of NCAA rules in connection with a 2005 ESPN studio tour that the women’s basketball office arranged for then-top recruit Maya Moore.
Tennessee canceled the 12-year series with UConn last summer, even though UConn had already signed a contract to extend the annual game through the 2008-09 season.
Summitt had said ending the series would let the schools develop other rivalries. Auriemma said if she wouldn’t explain why the series ended, he would.
“Pat knows. … So she should just tell you why instead of saying, ‘Geno knows.’ I do know,” he said. “I already told you. She accused us of cheating at recruiting. She doesn’t have the courage to say it publicly. So yeah, Geno does know. And I’ve said it.”
Summitt, fresh off a second consecutive national title, declined comment.
Junior hockey
Chiefs playoffs on channel 78
The Spokane Chiefs have announced that the remaining games in the Western Hockey League Western Conference Championship series with the Tri-City Americans will be televised live on Comcast channel 78.
The fifth game with Tri-City will be played on Saturday night in Kennewick beginning at 7:30.
The sixth game at the Arena will be at 7 p.m. and the seventh game, if necessary, will be at Kennewick on Tuesday at 7.
Spokane and Tri-City are tied at two games apiece in the best-of-7 series.
Auto racing
Stewart may leave Gibbs
Two online reports citing unnamed sources said that Tony Stewart wants out of the final year of a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing that runs through the 2009 season.
Sports Illustrated’s Internet site reported that Stewart “is working on the final stages of a deal” that would put him at Haas CNC Racing next year.
ESPN.com, meanwhile, reported that Stewart is “intrigued” by the prospect of owning a team and said one scenario has Stewart getting up to a 50 percent ownership stake in Haas CNC Racing and driving one of its two Chevrolets. Hass CNC Racing gets its engines and other support from Hendrick Motorsports.
The Charlotte Observer tried unsuccessfully to contact Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs for comment.