Newsmakers

Negotiating The University of Montana is working on a contract extension for men’s basketball coach Wayne Tinkle, who is entering the final year of a three-year contract, the Missoulian newspaper reported. Tinkle told the newspaper that there is no basis for recent reports that he was in San Francisco this week to interview for the coaching job at Fresno State. But the newspaper reported that Tinkle stopped short of denying that talks took place. Tinkle, a Ferris High graduate, is 91-64 in five seasons with the Grizzlies.

Hired Missouri State hired Purdue’s Paul Lusk as its men’s basketball coach, plucking the top assistant from Matt Painter’s staff.

Suspended Wizards rookie John Wall was suspended for Friday night’s NBA game against Cleveland because of his part in a scuffle against the Miami Heat. Wall was playing tight defense Wednesday night against Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who appeared to elbow Wall in the face at least once while protecting the ball. Wall then swung his right hand at Ilgauskas, earning the suspension.

• Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes has been suspended one game without pay after getting into a fight with Jason Terry of Dallas.

Sidelined The Buffalo Sabres continued their late-season NHL playoff push without injured goalie Ryan Miller, who did not travel with the team as it left Buffalo to open a two-game road trip. Miller has not played or practiced since a 4-3 loss at Toronto on Tuesday. It was a game he finished despite taking a hard shot high off the chest in the third. Three days earlier, Miller was struck in the mask by a shot in a 2-0 win over New Jersey.

Fired Texas Southern University fired football coach Johnnie Cole as it anticipates an NCAA report detailing major rules violations. Defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey will serve as interim head coach.

Charged Jockey Robby Albarado has been arrested on charges he assaulted his wife. Louisville, Ky., police said Albarado’s wife told officers who arrived at the couple’s home late Thursday night that a discussion about their relationship became heated. He was charged with assault and other counts. Police said Albarado is accused of breaking his wife’s phone and trying to strangle her, leaving red marks around her throat.