Nuggets' Coach Karl suspended two games
NEW YORK, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl was suspended Wednesday for two games for criticizing officiating Monday night.
Karl was punished for vehemently criticizing the officiating after Denver's 101-92 loss to the New Jersey Nets. He will begin his suspension Wednesday, when the Nuggets host the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
Karl was named the head coach of the Nuggets on Jan. 27, 2005, and helped the team to the playoffs. They were beaten in the first round by the eventual NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
During his coaching career, Karl has a 748-514 record. He went 32-8 at the helm of the Nuggets last season.
Assistant Coach Scott Brooks was to coach the team for Wednesday's game and for Friday's game at Phoenix.
Clippers' center out for at least a month
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Clippers center Zeljko Rebraca underwent a successful bypass procedure Wednesday and will be sidelined for at least one month.
The procedure was designed to help prevent a recurrence of the symptoms of an irregular heartbeat.
Rebraca was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat at the end of the Clippers 103-100 win over Toronto on Nov. 23.
Dr. Fred Morady performed the procedure for the second time in Rebraca's career. On Aug. 7, 2003, Rebraca had the procedure done when he missed 50 games for the Detroit Pistons during the 2002-2003 season because of a recurring irregular heartbeat.
The 7-foot Rebraca is averaging 4.6 points per game with 2.4 rebounds. In 197 career games, he has averages of 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest.
Saints tight end has knee surgery
BATON ROUGE, La., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- New Orleans Saints tight end Ernie Conwell underwent knee surgery Wednesday and is expected to be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Conwell, who has been inactive for the past three games, finished the season with 13 catches for 165 yards and one touchdown. In the season-opener versus Carolina, the 10-year veteran tied a career high by catching six passes for 71 yards.
Conwell, 33, also has spent time with the Rams. He has 195 career receptions for 2,131 yards with 14 touchdowns.
Red Wings' Fischer hospitalized again
DETROIT, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Detroit defenseman Jiri Fischer made a return trip to the hospital after experiencing an abnormal cardiac rhythm while resting at home on Monday.
Fischer, who suffered a seizure Nov. 21 during Detroit's game against Nashville, was readmitted to the Detroit Medical Center Monday evening for observation. He was discharged Wednesday, but is expected to travel to Michigan Medical Center for further testing.
The 25-year-old Czech collapsed at the end of the bench during the first period of the game against the Predators on Nov. 21, and was administered CPR by team physician Dr. Tony Colucci. Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said Fischer's heart had actually stopped and he had no pulse before they hooked him to the auto defibrillator and shocked him.
Fischer was originally discharged from the hospital after just two days.
USC's Matt Leinart wins Unitas Award
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The University of Southern California's Matt Leinart has won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior quarterback.
Leinart became the third Trojan to win the award, joining Rodney Peete in 1988 and Carson Palmer in 2002. The award will be presented on Dec. 9 in Louisville.
Leinart won last year's Heisman Trophy and is again a candidate for college football's top honor this year. He has completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,217 yards with 24 touchdowns for the top-ranked ranked Trojans in 2005.
Other finalists for the award were Brett Basanez of Northwestern, Kellen Clemens of Oregon, Brodie Croyle of Alabama, Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt, Drew Olson of UCLA and D.J. Shockley of Georgia.
Jason White of Oklahoma was last year's winner.
Rice football coach resigns
HOUSTON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Rice Football coach Ken Hatfield resigned Wednesday, one day after announcing during a news conference that he would return for his 13th season.
The Houston Chronicle said Hatfield informed his players Tuesday night of his decision.
Hatfield's resignation came just hours after the longtime head coach told local media members he was looking forward to the 2006 season and did not plan to make any changes to his staff. The Owls finished just 1-10 in 2005, the program's worst mark since going 0-11 in 1988.
Hatfield, 62, took over at Rice in 1994 after successful tours at Air Force, Arkansas and Clemson. He directed the Owls to back-to-back 7-4 seasons in 1996 and 1997, and an 8-4 campaign in 2001.
Rice's 2005 finish was Hatfield's worst in 27 years as a head coach.
