Williams says he's headed for Miami
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 7 (UPI) -- Ricky Williams spread the word Thursday that he's headed for the Miami ins in a trade. But, but the New Orleans Saints, his current team, say nothing has been set.
Williams told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel the trade would net the Saints nowhere near the cache of draft picks they gave up to land the Heisman Trophny winner three years ago.
The report said Saints General Manager Randy Mueller told the New Orleans Times-Picayune the two teams had talked about the matter and would talk further. "Right now, there's not a proposal out there we can agree to," he said.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, the Dolphins have offered the Saints their 2002 first- and fourth-round picks and a conditional 2003 third-round pick that could become a first- or second-round choice if Williams reaches certain incentives.
In return, the Dolphins want a 2002 third-round pick.
Williams, 24, has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons, amassing 1,245 in 2001.
Big conferences open play
By United Press International
The quest for NCAA basketball glory moved to the major college level Thursday as big-school conferences opened tournament play.
Among men's teams in action were those representing the Atlantic Coast, the Southeastern, the Big 12, the Big 10, Big East and Pac-10.
Central Connecticut (27-4) was the latest to qualify for the NCAA shindig, winning the Northeast Congerence on Wednesday. The day before, Valparaiso (25-7), Western Kentucky (27-3) and Illinois Chicago (20-12) got in. S0 far, 12 men's teams are assured berths.
Among the women's teams, Bucknell (21-9) men's was the 17th to make the lineup, winning the Patriot Conference Wednesday . Another full slate was on tap across the country.
Kournikova ousted in first round
INDIAN WELLS, Calif., March 7 (UPI) -- The popular Russian Anna Kournikova was eliminated in the first round of the $5.05 million Pacific Life Open Wednesday, falling to Lilia Osterloh, 6-1, 6-4.
Kournikova never has won a WTA Tour event despite having reached the No. 1 ranking as a junior. But,she did advance to the semifinals at Auckland, Tokyo and Acapulco this year. Her only appearance in a Grand Slam semifinal came at the 1997 Wimbledon Championships.
Three other Americans joined Osterloh in the second round.Jennifer Hopkins defeated Stephanie Foretz of France, 6-2, 6-2; Marissa Irvin beat Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain, 6-1, 6-4, and Tara Snyder rallied past Tathiana Garbin of Italy, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Though Kournikova did not move on, two other Russians did, each beating American opponents. Elena Bovina cruised past Samantha Reeves. 6-3, 6-1, and Maria Sharapova defeated Brie Rippner, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.
